Subtilase Variants

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to novel subtilase variants exhibiting alterations relative to the parent subtilase in one or more properties including: Wash performance, thermal stability, storage stability or catalytic activity. The variants of the invention are suitable for use in e.g. cleaning or detergent compositions, such as laundry detergent compositions and dish wash compositions, including automatic dish wash compositions.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.10/699,394 filed on Oct. 31, 2003, which claims priority or the benefitunder 35 U.S.C. 119 of Danish application nos. PA 2002 01705 and PA 200201933 filed on Nov. 8, 2002 and Dec. 18, 2002, respectively, and U.S.provisional application Nos. 60/427,156, 60/434,723, and 60/507,537filed on Nov. 18, 2002, Dec. 19, 2002, and Oct. 1, 2003, respectively,the contents of which are fully incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field

The present invention relates to novel subtilase variants exhibitingalterations relative to the parent subtilase in one or more propertiesincluding: Wash performance, thermal stability, storage stability orcatalytic activity. The variants of the invention are suitable for usein e.g. cleaning or detergent compositions, such as laundry detergentcompositions and dish wash compositions, including automatic dish washcompositions. The present invention also relates to isolated DNAsequences encoding the variants, expression vectors, host cells, andmethods for producing and using the variants of the invention. Further,the present invention relates to cleaning and detergent compositionscomprising the variants of the invention.

2. Description of Related

In the detergent industry enzymes have for more than 30 years beenimplemented in washing formulations. Enzymes used in such formulationscomprise proteases, lipases, amylases, cellulases, as well as otherenzymes, or mixtures thereof. Commercially the most important enzymesare proteases.

An increasing number of commercially used proteases are proteinengineered variants of naturally occurring wild type proteases, e.g.Durazym®, Relase®, Alcalase®, Savinase®, Primase®, Duralase®, Esperase®,Ovozyme® and Kannase® (Novozymes NS), Maxatase™ Maxacal™, Maxapem™,Properase™, Purafect™, Purafect OxP™, FN2™, FN3™ and FN4™ (GenencorInternational, Inc.). Further, a number of protease variants aredescribed in the art. A thorough list of prior art protease variants isgiven in WO 99/27082.

However, even though a number of useful protease variants have beendescribed, there is still a need for new improved proteases or proteasevariants for a number of industrial uses such as laundry or hard surfacecleaning. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provideimproved subtilase variants for such purposes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Thus, in a first aspect the present invention relates to a subtilasevariant comprising at least

-   -   a) an insertion, substitution or deletion of one of the amino        acid residues K,H,R,E,D,Q,N,C,V,L,I,P,M,F,W,Y,G,A,S,T in one or        more of the positions 62, 68, 97, 98, 99, 106, 131, 170, 245,        252,        in combination with at least one of the following modifications        *0AQSVPWG; A1T,V; Q2L; S3T,A,L; V4L,A; I8V,T; S9G,D,R,K,L,V;        R10H,K; V11A; Q12D; A13V; P14S, T, D, A, M, V, K, Q, L, H, R, I;        A15M,T; A16P; H17R; N18S,H; R19W,K,L,F,G,I; G20*,R,A;        L21F,LP,LW,LA,LG; T22S,A,K,TV,TG,TL,TW,TV,G,L,TY; G23S; S24P;        K27R, V28I; V30I; I35T,V;T38S; P40L; N43D; R45H,K; G46D; A48T;        S49N; F50S; V51A,I,D; P52V,A; P55S,A; S57P; G61E,D,S,R,GP;        N62D,ND,NE,DE,NG,E,S; V68A,S,L,I; T71A; I72V; L75I; N76S,D;        N77S; S78T; V81A; A85T; S87C; A88V,T; E89G; K94N; V95C,T;        L96LA,LG; G97E,D,W,A,GG,GA,GV,N,GS;        A98S,D,E,T,AS,AD,AV,AE,AH,Q,N,M,L,G,R,V,S;        S99D,L,A,AD,SD,SM,SG,DA,P,G,N,C,M,V,I; G100S,GE,C; S101SA, SK;        G102D,S; S103D,E,Y,L,Q,H,T; V104T,S,R,I,N,M,L,D;        S106D,E,T,M,G,A,L,F,I; I107T,V,M; A108V,T,S; L111I,V; A114V;        N116S,D; G118D; M119L,I,V,A,S; H120N,D,Q,K,E,Y,S; V121A; L124C;        L126I; G127E; S128N,I,G,C; P129PSN,T,E,D,S,N,A; S130P,T,C,*;        P131M,F,W,L,A,H,T,*,PA,S,Q,R,E,G,D,C; S132G,T; A133ASA; T134A;        Q137H,E,D; A138G,V; V139L,I; N140D, K; T143A; S144D, N,P; R145G;        V150I; A151V,G; A152P; A158T,V,C,E,L,D, M; G160A,D; S163G,C,N,A;        Y167K,A,I; A168G; A169G; R170C,S,H,L; Y171C; A172V; N173D;        A174V; M175L,I,V,A,S,T; N183D; N184D,S; N185S,D; R186L,C,H;        S188G; S190A; Y192H; G195F,E; V203S,A,L,Q,M, F,I; N204T,D,S;        Q206L; Y209C,H; G211D; S212N,L; T213A; Y214C,H; A215D,T;        N218D,S; M222L,I,V,A,S; A223G; T224A,S; A228T; A230V;        A232S,L,T,P; V234I; Q236A,L,D,T,C,M,F,S; K237R; N238D; P239T,S;        S240F; S242T; V244I,M,A; Q245R,K,E,D,T,F,N,V,W,G,I,S,C,L,A,M;        N248P,D,S; K251E,R; N252G,H,D,V,M,S,T,E,Y,S,Q,K,A,L; A254S;        T255A,S; S256N,R,G; L257G; G258K, S259A,N,G; T260A,R; N261D;        L262S, Q,V; Y263H,F; G264E; S265G,R,N; V268L,I; N269T; N296K;        E271A; T274S,L,A,R or    -   b) one of the following combination variants        A108T+L111V; L124I+S125A; P129S+S130AT; L96LA+A151G+V203A;        S49N+V203L+N218D; S3T+A16P+R45C+G100S+A230V; I8V+R19K+V139I;        N76D+A174AL+A194P+A230V; N185R; N62NE; H120Q+Q137E, G61GE,        G61GS, G100L, A133D, V68A, N123D, L111F+Y263H,        V11A+G61GE+V227A+S240F, A133E+S144K+N218D, S128A+P129S+S130SP,        S9R+A15T+T22TQ+S101P, S9R+A15T+H120R+Q137D+N173S, G97E, Q245W,        S9R+A15T+L96LG+Q137E+Y209H, S9R+A15T+L111V+Q137E+G211D,        S9R+A15T+L111I+Q137E, S9R+A15T+L111I+H120N+Q137E,        S9R+A15T+L96LG+H120Q+Q137E, S9R+A15T+T260M, S9R+A15T, Q245I,        S9R+A15T+H120G+Q137E+N218D, S9R+A15T+S130P, Q245F,        S9R+A15T+N218D, G63E+N76D+A194P+A230V, S9R+A15T+T224A, G100S,        S9R+A15T+D60DG, A138V+V139I+A194P+N218D+A230V,        A108V+A169G+R170A+Y171H,        I8V+P14L+R19L+V30I+I35V+S57P+P129S+Q137D+S144D+S256N,        A133D+T134S+Q137A, Q137D, A98AH, V51D, Q12E+P14L+A15T,        G63E+N76D+A194P+A230V, Q12E+P14L+A15T, G97GS or    -   c) one or more modifications in position 68, wherein said        modification(s) comprise(s): deletion, insertion and/or        substitution of an amino acid residue selected from the group        consisting of K,H,R,E,D,Q,N,C,V,L,I,P,M,F,W,Y,G,A,S and T.

In a second aspect the present invention relates to a subtilase variantcomprising

-   -   a) the combination of one or more of the modifications    -   X62D,XD,XE,XG,DE    -   X68A,S,L,I    -   X97E,D,W,A,N,XG,XA,XV,XS    -   X98S,D,E,T,XS,XD,XV    -   X99D,L,A,P,G,N,AD,XD,XM,XG,DA    -   X106D,E,T,M,G,A,L,F,I    -   X131M,F,W,L,A,H,T,*,S,Q,R,E,G,XA    -   X170C,S,H    -   X245R,K,E,D,T,F,N,V,W,G,I,S,C,L,A    -   X252G,H,D,V,M,S,T,E,Y,S,Q,K        with at least one of the following modifications        *0AQSVPWG; A1T,V; Q2L; S3T,A,L; V4L,A; I8V,T; S9G,D,R,K,L,V;        R10H,K; V11A; Q12D; A13V; P14S,T,D,A,M,V,K,Q,L,H,R,I; A15M,T;        A16P; H17R; N18S,H; R19W,K,L,F,G,I; G20*,R,A; L21F,LP,LW,LA,LG;        T22S,A,K,TV,TG,TL,TW,TV,G,L,TY; G23S; S24P; K27R, V28I; V30I;        I35T,V;T38S; P40L; N43D; R45H,K; G46D; A48T; S49N; F50S;        V51A,I,D; P52V,A; P55S,A; S57P; G61E,D,S,R,GP;        N62D,ND,NE,DE,NG,E,S; V68A,S,L,I; T71A; I72V; L75I; N76S,D;        N77S; S78T; V81A; A85T; S87C; A88V,T; E89G; K94N; V95C,T;        L96LA,LG; G97E,D,W,A,GG,GA,GV,N,GS;        A98S,D,E,T,AS,AD,AV,AE,AH,Q,N,M,L,G,R,V,S;        S99D,L,A,AD,SD,SM,SG,DA,P,G,N,C,M,V,I; G100S,GE,C; S101SA, SK;        G102D,S; S103D,E,Y,L,Q,H,T; V104T,S,R,I,N,M,L,D;        S106D,E,T,M,G,A,L,F,I; I107T,V,M; A108V,T,S; L111I,V; A114V;        N116S,D; G118D; M119L,I,V,A,S; H120N,D,Q,K,E,Y,S; V121A; L124C;        L126I; G127E; S128N,I,G,C; P129PSN,T,E,D,S,N,A; S130P,T,C,*;        P131M,F,W,L,A,H,T,*,PA,S,Q,R,E,G,D,C; S132G,T; A133ASA; T134A;        Q137H,E,D; A138G,V; V139L,I; N140D, K; T143A; S144D, N,P; R145G;        V150I; A151V,G; A152P; A158T,V,C,E,L,D, M; G160A,D; S163G,C,N,A;        Y167K,A,I; A168G; A169G; R170C,S,H,L; Y171C; A172V; N173D;        A174V; M175L,I,V,A,S,T; N183D; N184D,S; N185S,D; R186L,C,H;        S188G; S190A; Y192H; G195F,E; V203S,A,L,Q,M, F,I; N204T,D,S;        Q206L; Y209C,H; G211D; S212N,L; T213A; Y214C,H; A215D,T;        N218D,S; M222L,I,V,A,S; A223G; T224A,S; A228T; A230V;        A232S,L,T,P; V234I; Q236A,L,D,T,C,M,F,S; K237R; N238D; P239T,S;        S240F; S242T; V244I, M,A; Q245R,K,E,D,T,F,N,V,W,G,I,S,C,L,A,M;        N248P,D,S; K251E,R; N252G,H,D,V,M,S,T,E,Y,S,Q,K,A,L; A254S;        T255A,S; S256N,R,G; L257G; G258K, S259A,N,G; T260A,R; N261D;        L262S, Q,V; Y263H,F; G264E; S265G,R,N; V268L,I; N269T; N296K;        E271A; T274S,L,A,R.

In a third aspect the present invention relates to a subtilase variantcomprising at least one of the alterations disclosed in Table I below:

TABLE I subtilase variants of the inventions having one or more of thealterations: G97E + A98S V28I + A98AD + T224S G97D + A98D S99AD +M175V + P131F V95C + G97W + A98E S99AD + P131L V95T + G97A + A98D S9R +S99AD + P131W S103Y + V104M + S106D V68A + N116S + V139L + Q245R V104T +S106D S3T + A16P + R45C + G100S + A230V S3T + A16P + S99SD + S144D +A158T + I8V + S9R + A15T + R19W + V30I + G61D + A230V + T260R S99SD +S256N S103D + V104T + S106T V30I + S99SD + S256R S103D + V104L + S106MG61S + S99SD + V244I S103D + V104T + S106G V68A + V139L + S163G + N185SS103D + V104S + S106A S99SD + Y263H S103H + V104N + S106D V104N + S106TS103E + V104I + S106T S99SG + S144D S103Q + V104T + S106E V30I + S99SDS103E + S106T N18H + S99SD S103E + V104R + S106A S9R + T22S + S99SD +K251E A108T + L111V A48T + V68A + P131M L124I + S125A A15M + S99SM +V139I + V244I L124C + P131* P14T + A15M + S99SD P129S + S130AT I8V +S99SD + S144D + A228T L96LA + A151G + V203A I8V + R19K + V139I S99SD +A108V + V139L I35T + N62D S99SD + S190A N62D + S265G S99SD + V203A Q2L +N62D S99SD + V139I N62D + N76D S99SD + A108V R45H + G61E + V68A S99SD +S106A + A151G N62D + V121A V68A + S106A N62D + A215D V68A + N185D +V203S N62D + N238D V68A + V139L N62D + R145G V68A + V139I V4L + N62D +E89G V68A + A158V N62D + S188G + K251R V68A + V203A S49N + N62D V68A +V203S N62NE V68A + V203L + S259A V11A + N62DE V68A + S106L N62ND +N184S + S256G V30I + V68A + V203S N18S + N62D + I107T + A254S V51A +V68A + S106T + A168G S57P + N62ND V51A + V68A + S106T + A168G N62NE +V234I V68A + N76S + V203M + P239T Q137H + R170C + G195E V68A + V203LS99A + S101SA V68A + L75I + V203Q R10K + P14A + R19K + A98AS + S128NV68A + T71A + V139L T22A + R45K + A98AS + S128N Y192H + V68A A98AV +S99D + Y167K V68A + S106A + A108T S9G + P14K + Y167A + R170S V68A +S106T + A108T S9D + P14T + Y167A + R170S V68S + A108S S9R + P14M + A98ADV68A + N76S + G211D S9R + R19L + A98AD + E271A V68A + S106T + A108TS9R + P14S + R19F + A98AD A151V + R170C S99DA + P129PSN + P131A P14D +A98AS + H120D + G195F + S99AD + V244M + Q245K + N248D + S212N + M222SK251R + T255A + S256N S49N + V203L + N218D S9R + P14V + R19G + A98ADV68A + S106M + N184D S99AD + N248P + T255A + S256G P55S + V68L + A158E +G160A *0AQSVPWG + A98AD V68A + A158C T22A + S99AD V68A + A158L + Y214CK94N + A98T + S99L A88V + S99AD + P131F N76D + A174AL + A194P + A230VP14T + A16P + I72V + S99SD + V244I + T260A P40L + N218D + A232S +Q236L + Q245E + S259N S99AD + P131F A232L + Q236D + Q245E R10H + N62DA232T + Q236L + Q245D V28I + A98AD + T224S R170H + Q236A + Q245R S9K +T22K + S99AD A232L + Q236T + Q245D P14S + S99AD + P131W G97GG + P131H +Q137E + V268L V68A + I72V + P131F A88V + G97GV + P131H S9R + S99ADG97GA + H120Q + S130P + G264E S9K + S99AD G97GG + V139L V28I + A88V +G100S + P131M G97GG + Q137D S103L + V104S + S106G G97GG + H120D + Q137HV68A + T224A N185R V68A + P131F P131H + Q137E A48T + V68A + P131MV104I + H120N + P131H + Q137E V68A + I72V + P131F H120Q + Q137E G100GE +P131F S9R + A15T + G97GV + H120D S99AD + P131F + T260A G100S + H120Q +Q137H R19G + A98AS V68A + H120K + Q137E G61R + N62D G97GA + H120E V68A +S106M + N184D H120D + S128I + Q137D P55S + V68L + A158E + G160A G97GG +P131H V68A + A158C G97GG + H120N + L126I R19W + G61S + S99SD + N204T +Y263H + S9R + A15T + G97GA + H120D + P131H + S265R Q137E A232T + Q236CS9R + A15T + G97GV + P131T + Q137H N62D + A232T + Q236C S9R + A15T +G20* + L21F + N62D + Q245N A232P + Q236L + Q245E S9L + A15T + T22TV +V139L + Q245F A232S + Q236L + Q245T + K251E S132G + Q245F S163C +Q236M + Q245T + S256G S9R + A15T + T22TG + N62D + V139L + Q245V N218D +A232L + Q236F + Q245F S9L + A15T + T22TV + V139L + Q245F + L262S S163N +A232L + Q236S + Q245E S9R + A15T + T22TL + N62D + Q245W A232S + Q236S +Q245E V68A + A158L + Y214C V68A + V203L N62D + V150I V68S + A158D S3T +P14Q + A15M + R19K + N62D + S144D I8V + A15T + R19K + A85T + S99SD +A114V + P14Q + R19W + V51I + G61E + S99SD + V244I + S256N + Y263HV139I + T260R L111F + Y263H S3T + P14L + H17R + S99SD + V139I + S144DP52V + S78T + S99SD S3A + V30I + S99SD + S106G + N248S A15M + S99SD +V268I I8V + A15T + S99SD S99G + S128N + N183D + A232L + Q236T + S3T +S9R + P14H + A15M + R19L + S99SD + Q245R V139I S99R + S101SA S9R +A15T + G97GG + H120D + Q137E L96LA + A98T + P131AA S9R + A15T + G20A +G97GV + H120D + P131H A98E + S99P S163N + A232L + Q236A + Q245G V28I +S99AD + P131F N173D + A232L + Q236A + Q245N S9R + A15T + G97GV + Q137HP55S + V68A + S106M + A108T + P129T V81A + P131T + A133S + Q137E K27R +V68L + G118D + A158E N43D + V68A + S106F + N238D A98E + S99A + S101SKV68A + V203F V68A + N140D + T143A + S144N V68A + S106E N62D + N140K +T143A + S144D V68A + S106I S9F + P14T + R19L + A98AD V68A + A158M +R170C S9V + P14R + R19F + A98AD V68A + P129T + N218D S99A + S99SD +G258K + L262Q V68S + P129E S87C + S99SA + S99D + P131A V68S + P129DS99A + S99SD + G258K + L262Q V68L + P129E + N261D V28I + S99A + *99aD +P131F G97GV + H120D A85T + G102D + S106T + K237R P131A + A133ASA V68A +T71A L111F + Y263H G61GS V11A + G61GE + V227A + S240F G100L A133E +S144K + N218D A133D S128A + P129S + S130SP V68A G61GE N123D S9R + A15T +T22TW + N204D + Q245I Q245W + N252V S9R + A15T + G97GG + P131S + Q137HR45H + Y171C + Q245W + N252S S9R + A15T + T22TG + N62D + V139L + Q245GG20R + A48T + R170C + Q245W + N252Q S9R + A15T + T22TL + N62D + I107V +V139L + S9R + A15T + A16P + G97GA + P131S + Q137D + Q245W N204S S9G +A15T + G97GA + Q137H N218D + Q245W + N252E S9R + A15T + V68A + Q245RG20R + R170C + Q245R + N252V S9R + A15T + G97GA + H120N + S212L S9R +P14I + R19K + A98AD + T274S S9R + A15T + L96LG + H120D + P131H + R186LA98AE + V203I S9R + A15T + G97GA + H120D + Q137D V51A + V68A + S163G +V203A N62D + N252T N62D + Q245W + N252H V4A + S9R + A15T + G97GV + H120DN62D + Q245W + N252A S9R + A15T + G97GV + H120D + Q137H G20R + N62D +V244I + Q245W + N252E S9R + A15T + L96LG + H120N + P131H + Q137E N204D +Q245S S9R + A15T + L96LG + H120D + P131S + Q137E N62D + Q245W + N252ES9R + A15T + H120N + P131T + N218D N62D + Q245R + N252V S9R + A15T +L21LP + T22TV + M119I + N218D + S9R + A15T + S24P + G61E + A85T +P239S + Q245I Q245A S9R + A15T + L96LG + H120D + G160D G102S + M222S +Q245L + N252D V68A + S106A + G118D + Q245R + T255S + A15M + V30I +N62D + S99N + L111I + V244A + L257G + T274L S265N S9R + A15T + G61E +A85T + P239L + Q245C S9R + A15T + T22TG + N62D + V139L + Q245S S9R +A15T + P131H + S144P S3T + Q12D + R19W + V30I + S106G + I107M S9R +A15T + G97GA + Q137E V68A + A88T + V139L S9R + A15T + G97GA + H120Q +P131H + Q137E V51I + L111I + G118D + Q245R S9R + A15T + L21LW + G100S +V139L + Q245V V68A + V203L S9R + A15T + G97GA + Q137H + N218S A1T +V68A + N116D + G118D S9R + A15T + L96LG + H120N + P131S + Q137H V68A +G118D + Q245R S9R + A15T + G97GA + H120N + Q137E N62D + V139I + N183D +N185S + V203I + Q245R + L262S S9R + A15T + L96LG + P131T + Q137H N62D +I72V S9R + A15T + L96LG + H120N + P131S N62D + V81A + Q245R S9R + A15T +V68A + Q137D T22A + V68A + S106T + G118D S9R + A15T + G97GA + H120Y +Q137H V68A + L111I + V203I S9R + A15T + G97GA + Q137D G61E + V68A +A169G S9R + A15T + K94N + H120N + P131H V68A + L111V S9R + A15T +L96LG + P131H + Q137D V68A + G118D + V203A + K251R S9R + A15T + F50S +H120D + P131H V68A + G118D S9R + A15T + G97GA + H120N + Q137D + N248DA1V + V51A + V68A + V203I S9R + A15T + L96LG + P131Q + Q137D V68A +V139L + A223G S9R + A15T + T22G + V139L + Q245L N62D + Y214H + K237RV139L + Q245R V68A + S106A + G118D + Q245R S9R + A15T + Q245F S9R +A15T + T22A + N62D S9R + A15T + Q245S A98Q + S99D S9R + A15T + G97GV +H120Q S9R + P14I + R19K + A98AD S9R + A15T + G97GA + Q137E + L262V S9R +A15M + A16P + T22S + S99AD S9R + A15T + G127E + P131R + Q137H S99AD +T255R + S256N S9R + A13V + A15T + I35V + N62D + Q245F S9R + A15T +T22TQ + S101P S9R + A15T + Q245V S9R + A15T + H120R + Q137D + N173SV139L + Q245F G97E S9R + A15T + T22A + V139L + Q245E Q245W S9R + A15T +T22L + V139L + Q245V + A254S S9R + A15T + L96LG + Q137E + Y209H S9R +R19L + A98AD S9R + A15T + L111V + Q137E + G211D P14R + A98AD S9R +A15T + L111I + Q137E S9R + A15T + Q245L S9R + A15T + L111I + H120N +Q137E S9R + A15T + G61E + A85T + P239S + Q245V S9R + A15T + L96LG +H120Q + Q137E S9R + A15T + G61E + A85T + Q206L + Q245R S9R + A15T +T260M P239T + Q245R S9R + A15T S9R + A15T + N62NG + Q245T Q245I S9R +A15T + G61GP + Q245L S9R + A15T + H120G + Q137E + N218D S9R + A15T +G61E + A85T + Q137H + Y209C + I8V + P14L + R19L + V30I + I35V + S57P +Q245G P129S + Q137D + S144D + S256N S9R + A15T + G61E + A85T + P239S +Q245C Q245F V68I + A98AD S9R + A15T + N218D V68A + N269K G63E + N76D +A194P + A230V N62D + Q245A + N252G + S265G S9R + A15T + T224A N218D +Q245G + N252H G100S S9R + A15T + G102S + M175T + Q245R + N252D S9R +A15T + D60DG S9R + A15T + N62D + Q245W + N252V A138V + V139I + A194P +N218D + A230V S9R + A15T + N62D + Q245R + N252M A108V + A169G + R170A +Y171H S9R + A15T + N62D + Q245W + N252S S9R + A15T + S130P S99SD +N204S + Q245R A133D + T134S + Q137A N62D + Q245R Q137D N62D + A151GA98AH V68A + S106T V51D S99A + S99SD + V203L Q12E + P14L + A15T A98AD +A215T G63E + N76D + A194P + A230V N62D + Q245G + N252T Q12E + P14L +A15T A152P + Q245R + N252T G97GS S163N + T213A + Q245R Q245W + N252YS106L + Q245R + N252E A169G + R170H S9V + P14R + R19F + A98AD Q12E +P14L + A15T S9R + A15T + L111I + Q137E P14R + A98AD S9R + A15T + G97GA +Q137E G100S S9R + A15T + L96LG + Q137E + Y209H A169G + R170H S9R +A15T + L96LG + H120N + P131S A98AD + A169G S9R + A15T + G97GV + H120QA138V + V139I + A194P + N218D + A230V S9R + A15T + L96LG + H120Q + Q137ES99A + S99SD + V203L S9R + A15T + G97GV + P131S V68A + S106T S9R +A15T + K94N + H120N + P131H A98AD + A215T S9R + A15T + N76S + L111V +P131H + Q137D A108V + A169G + R170A + Y171H S9R + A15T + F50S + H120D +P131H S3L + N62D + S163A + S190A S9R + A15T + L96LG + S130* S9R + P14I +R19K + A98AD + T274S S9R + A15T + T22TL + N62D + I107V + V139L + S9R +A15T + G61E + A85T + N218D + P239S + Q245W Q245L S9R + A15T + G97GA +H120D + Q137H + S9R + A15T + S24P + G61E + A85T + P239S + M222V Q245AS9R + A15T + G97GA + H120N + Q137D + N248D S99SD + P131F S9R + A15T +L21LW + G100S + V139L + Q245V N62D + P131F + A172V S9R + A15T + G20* +L21F + N62D + Q245N N62D + P131F S9R + A15T + L21LC + V139L + R186H +Q245M V68A + A88T + V139L S132G + Q245F V68A + G118D + V203A S9R +A15T + T22TG + N62D + V139L + Q245G P40L + V68A + A108T + A138V + V203IS9R + A15T + L96LG + P131Q + Q137D I8T + A98AD + T274R S9R + A15T +T22TQ + S101P A98AE + V203I S9R + A15T + T22TG + N62D + V139L + Q245VV51A + V68A + S163G + V203A S9R + A15T + T22TL + N62D + Q245W A1V +V51A + V68A + V203I S9R + A15T + T22TW + N204D + Q245I V68A + G100SS9R + A15T + T22TG + N62D + V139L + Q245S V68A + V203L S9R + A15T +S130P A1T + V68A + N116D + G118D Q245W N62D + A169G + V203I + Q245RS9R + A15T + L21LP + T22TY + V139L + G160D + G23S + S99SD + A194P +S242T + Q245R + Q245L T274R S9R + A15T + G61E + A85T + P239L + Q245CS99SD + N204S + Q245R S9R + A15T + L21LP + T22TV + M119I + N218D +N62D + V139I + N183D + N185S + V203I + Q245I Q245R + L262S S9R + A15T +V68A + Q245R V68A + S106A + G118D + Q245R S9R + A15T + T22A + V139L +Q245E V51I + L111I + G118D + Q245R V139L + Q245R N62D + Q245R S9R +A15T + Q245F N62D + I72V S9R + A15T + Q245S S9R + R19L + A98AD S9R +A15T + T260M S9G + P14R + R19I + A98AD S9R + A15T S9R + A15T + T22L +V139L + Q245V + A254S S9R + A15T + L21LG + T22TV + V139L + N204D +S99G + S128N + N183D + A232L + Q236T + Q245N Q245R V139L + Q245F S9R +A15T + Q245L S9R + A15T + T22G + V139L + Q245L S9R + A15T + N62NG +Q245T S9R + A15T + Q245V S9R + A15T + N62ND + V139L + Q245E Q245F S9R +A15T + N62ND + V139L + N261D S9R + Q245C Y167I + R170L + Q245E S9R +A15T + N218D Y167I + R170L + Q245R S9R + A13V + A15T + I35V + N62D +Q245F Y167I + R170L + Q245M S9R + A15T + T224A Y167I + R170L S163N +A232L + Q236A + Q245G S99SE + Q245R S9R + A15T + A16P + G97GA + P131S +Q137D + S9R + A15T + G61E + A85T + Q137H + Y209C + N204S Q245G N218D +A232L + Q236F + Q245F S9R + A15T + G61E + A85T + P239S + Q245C S163N +A232L + Q236S + Q245E G102S + M222S + Q245L + N252D G97GA + H120E N62D +Q245A + N252G + S265G G97GG + P131H N62D + Q245G + N252T S9R + A15T +G97GA + H120D + P131H + Q137E S9R + A15T + N62D + Q245W + N252V S9R +A15T + G97GV + Q137H S9R + A15T + N62D + Q245R + N252M S9R + A15T +G97GV + H120N S9R + A15T + N62D + Q245W + N252S S9R + A15T + G97GG +P131S + Q137H S163N + T213A + Q245R S9R + A15T + G97GG + H120N + Q137DS106L + Q245R + N252E S9R + A15T + H120Q + P131C + Q137H Q245W + N252YS9R + A15T + G97GV + H120D + Q137H Q245W + N252V S163C + Q236M + Q245T +S256G G20R + A48T + R170C + Q245W + N252Q S9R + A15T + G97GG + H120D +P131H + N62D + N252T Q137H S9R + A15T + G97GV + H120E + Q137H N218D +Q245W + N252E S9R + A15T + G97GV + P131T + Q137H G20R + R170C + Q245R +N252V S9R + A15T + G97GV + H120Q + Y263F N62D + Q245W + N252H S9R +A15T + G97GV + S106A + P131H N62D + Q245W + N252A S9R + A15T + G97GG +L111I + P131T + Q137H G20R + N62D + V244I + Q245W + N252E S9R + A15T +G97GV + P131H + Q137H N204D + Q245S S9R + A15T + G20A + G97GV + H120D +P131H N62D + Q245W + N252E S9R + A15T + G97GA + H120D + P131S + Q137EN62D + Q245R + N252V S9G + A15T + G97GA + Q137H A98L + S99C + Q245RS9R + A15T + H120R + Q137D + N173S N62D + A98R + Q245R S9R + A15T +L96LG + H120N + P131H + Q137E S9R + A15T + V68A + S99G + Q245R + N261DS9R + A15T + L96LG + H120D + P131S + Q137E S9R + A15T + G20* + L21F +N62D + Q245R S9R + A15T + H120N + P131T + N218D S9R + A15T + G20* +L21F + N62E + Q245R S9R + A15T + G97GA + H120D + Q137D V68I + A98ADS9R + A15T + L96LG + H120D + P131H + R186L S9R + A15T + H120D + Q137DS9R + A15T + G97GA + R186C S9R + A15T + N77S + L96LG + H120D + P131QV4A + S9R + A15T + G97GV + H120D S9R + A15T + G97GA + H120N + Q137ES9R + A15T + L96LG + H120D + G160D S9R + A15T + G97GA + Q137E + L262VS9R + A15T + G97GA + H120N + S212L S9R + A15T + P131H + S144P S9R +A15T + G97GA + Q137H + N218S S9R + A15T + G127E + P131R + Q137H M222S +Q245G + N252G S9R + A15T + V68A + S99G + Q245R + N261D V68I + V203LN62D + P131F + A172V V51A + S163T N62D + P131F S106A + A138G S99SD +Q245R V139I + A151G S9R + A13T + S99A + S99SD + P131F A98R + G100C +Q245R S9R + A15T + N62S + H120N + P131T + N218D S9R + A15T + S99G +G100S + H120N + P131S + S9R + A15T + S99C + H120N + P131S + Q137H +Q137H M222S A15T + N185D + M222S + Q245R + N252V A98G + S99C + Q245RS9R + A15T + T22TL + G61E + L96LG + Q137D + A98T + S99G + G100S +S240F + Q245R Q245R S9R + T22TL + G61E + G97GG + M119I + P131T S9R +A15T + H120N + P131T + N218D + N269T Y209H + M222S + Q245G + N252LM222S + Q245M + N252E S9R + A15T + G61E + H120S + Q137D + V139L + S9R +A15T + L96LG + H120N + P131S + Q137H + N218D M222S S9R + A15T + N62D +H120N + P131T S9R + A15T + G61E + A98S + S99M + Q245R S9R + A15T +V68A + N218D + Q245R A98G + G100S + Q245R + N261D S9R + A15T + V68A +H120N + N218D + Q245R S9R + A15T + V68A + A98L + Q245R S9R + A15T +V68A + A174V + Q245R S9R + A15T + V68A + A98G + S99V + Q245R S9R +A15T + G46D + V68A + N218D + Q245R S9R + A15T + V68A + A98M + Q245R +N248D G97D + A98N + S128G + S130T + P131D + T134A S9R + A15T + G61E +V68A + A98S + S99G + Q245R S9R + A15T + V68A + A98M + S99G + Q245R +S9R + A15T + A88V + A98R + S99G + G100C + T274A H120N + P131S + Q137HS9R + A15T + V68A + A98L + S99G + Q245R A98V + S99C + Q245R S9R + A15T +A98G + S99C + H120N + P131S + S9R + A15T + G20* + L21F + G61E + *61aP +Q137H Q245R S9R + A15T + T38S + A98R + S99C + G100S + S9R + A15T +V68A + A98G + S99I + K237R + H120N + P131S + Q137H Q245R S9R + A15T +A98C + G100S + H120N + P131S + S9R + A15T + V68A + H120N + P131S +Q137H + Q137H Q245R S9R + A15T + A98S + G100S + H120N + P131S + S9R +A15T + V68A + H120D + P131S + Q137H + Q137H Q245R S9R + A15T + G20* +L21F + N62D + Q245R A98S + S99G + G100S + Q245R S9R + A15T + G20* +L21F + N62D + Q245R + S9R + A15T + A98S + S99G + G100S + H120N + S259GP131S + Q137H A98S + G100S + Q245R A98T + S99G + G100S + Q245R S9R +A15T + G20* + L21F + *61aA + V68A + S9R + A15T + G20* + L21F + P52T +N62D + Q245R Q245R S9R + A15T + G20* + L21F + N62E + Q245R A98L + S99C +Q245R V68A + S105G + S106A V68A + S106A + T213A S9R + A15T + Y167I +R170L S9R + A15T + V68A V68A + S106A + N252M + Y263C V68A + S106A +Q245W V68A + S106A + Q245R + N252D V68A + S106A + Q245W + N252K V68A +S106A + A174V + Q245R + N252D S9R + A15T + V68A + Q245R + N252S S9R +A15T + V28I + V68A + Q245R + N252A S9R + A15T + V68A + A194T + Q245R +N252E S9R + A15T + G20* + L21F + *63aG + Q245R + S9R + A15T + G20* +L21F + *62aS + N218D + N272V Q245R S9R + A15T + G20* + L21F + *61aS +V68A + S9R + A15T + V68A + H120N + P131S + Q137H + G160D + Q245R Q245Mwherein

-   -   (a) the variant of Table I exhibits protease activity, and    -   (b) each position corresponds to a position of the amino acid        sequence of subtilisin BPN′, shown in FIG. 1 and SEQ ID NO: 1.

In a fourth aspect the present invention relates to an isolatedpolynucleotide encoding a subtilase variant of the invention.

In a fifth aspect the present invention relates to an expression vectorcomprising the isolated polynucleotide of the invention.

In a sixth aspect the present invention relates to a microbial host celltransformed with the expression vector of the invention.

In a seventh aspect the present invention relates to a method forproducing a subtilase variant according to the invention, wherein a hostaccording to the invention is cultured under conditions conducive to theexpression and secretion of the variant, and the variant is recovered.

In an eighth aspect the present invention relates to a cleaning ordetergent composition, preferably a laundry or dish wash composition,comprising the variant of the invention.

In a ninth aspect the present invention relates to a subtilase variantcomprising at least one of the alterations disclosed in Table II below:

TABLE II subtilase variants of the inventions having one or more of thealterations: G97GA + H120D + P131H + Q137E L111I + Q137E G97GV + Q137HG97GA + Q137H + N218S T22TQ + S101P L96LG + H120N + P131S + Q137HG97GV + H120D + Q137H L96LG + H120N + P131S + Q137H V4A + G97GV + H120DG97GA + H120N + Q137E L111V + Q137E + G211D L111I + H120N + Q137EL21LW + G100S + V139L + Q245V L96LG + P131T + Q137H V68A + Q137D L96LG +H120N + P131S L96LG + H120Q + Q137E G97GA + H120Y + Q137H K94N + H120N +P131H G97GA + Q137D G97GV + H120Q L96LG + P131H + Q137D G97GA + Q137E +L262V F50S + H120D + P131H D60DG G97GA + H120N + Q137D + N248D T22TL +N62D + Q245W L96LG + P131Q + Q137D T22TW + N204D + Q245I T22G + V139L +Q245L T22TG + N62D + V139L + Q245V Q245F G97GG + P131S + Q137H Q245SG20* + L21F + N62D + Q245N T260M T22TG + N62D + V139L + Q245G H120G +Q137E + N218D T22TL + N62D + I107V + V139L + Q245W G127E + P131R + Q137HG97GG + H120D + Q137E S130P H120R + Q137D + N173S Q245V V68A + Q245RN218D G97GA + H120N + S212L T22A + V139L + Q245E G97GA + H120N + S212LT22L + V139L + Q245V + A254S L96LG + H120D + P131H + R186L T224A G97GA +H120D + Q137D Q245L S9R + A15T + A16P + G97GA + P131S + Q137D + G61E +A85T + P239S + Q245V N204S L21LP + T22TV + M119I + N218D + Q245I G61E +A85T + Q206L + Q245R L96LG + H120N + P131H + Q137E N62NG + Q245T L96LG +H120D + P131S + Q137E G61GP + Q245L H120N + P131T + N218D G61E + A85T +Q137H + Y209C + Q245G L96LG + H120D + G160D G61E + A85T + P239S + Q245CT22TG + N62D + V139L + Q245S G102S + M175T + Q245R + N252D G61E + A85T +P239L + Q245C N62D + Q245W + N252V G61E + A85T + P239L + Q245C N62D +Q245R + N252M P131H + S144P N62D + Q245W + N252S G97GA + Q137E S24P +G61E + A85T + P239S + Q245A L96LG + Q137E + Y209H T22A + N62D G97aA +H120Q + P131H + Q137E L111I + Q137E G61E + A85T + N218D + P239S + Q245LG97GA + Q137E S24P + G61E + A85T + P239S + Q245A L96LG + Q137E + Y209HT22L + V139L + Q245V + A254S L96LG + H120N + P131S T224A G97GV + H120QQ245L L96LG + H120Q + Q137E N62NG + Q245T G97GV + P131S N62ND + V139L +Q245E K94N + H120N + P131H N62ND + V139L + N261D N76S + L111V + P131H +Q137D G61E + A85T + Q137H + Y209C + Q245G F50S + H120D + P131H G61E +A85T + P239S + Q245C L96LG + S130* N62D + Q245W + N252V L96LG + P131Q +Q137D N62D + Q245R + N252M G97GA + H120D + Q137H + M222V N62D + Q245W +N252S G97GA + H120N + Q137D + N248D V68A + S99G + Q245R + N261D L21LW +G100S + V139L + Q245V G20* + L21F + N62D + Q245R G20* + L21F + N62D +Q245N G20* + L21F + N62E + Q245R L21LC + V139L + R186H + Q245M H120D +Q137D T22TG + N62D + V139L + Q245G N77S + L96LG + H120D + P131Q T22TL +N62D + I107V + V139L + Q245W G97GA + H120N + Q137E T22TQ + S101P G97GA +Q137E + L262V T22TG + N62D + V139L + Q245V P131H + S144P T22TL + N62D +Q245W G127E + P131R + Q137H T22TW + N204D + Q245I G97GG + H120D +P131H + Q137H T22TG + N62D + V139L + Q245S G97GV + H120E + Q137H L21LP +T22TY + V139L + G160D + Q245L G97GV + P131T + Q137H S130P G97GV +H120Q + Y263F G61E + A85T + P239L + Q245C G97GV + S106A + P131H L21LP +T22TV + M119I + N218D + Q245I G97GG + L111I + P131T + Q137H V68A + Q245RG97GV + P131H + Q137H T22A + V139L + Q245E G20A + G97GV + H120D + P131HQ245F G97GA + H120D + P131S + Q137E Q245S G97GA + Q137H T260M H120R +Q137D + N173S S9R + A15T L96LG + H120N + P131H + Q137E L21LG + T22TV +V139L + N204D + Q245N L96LG + H120D + P131S + Q137E T22G + V139L + Q245LH120N + P131T + N218D Q245V G97GA + H120D + Q137D N218D G97GG + P131S +Q137H A13V + I35V + N62D + Q245F G97GG + H120N + Q137D G97GA + H120D +P131H + Q137E H120Q + P131C + Q137H G97GV + Q137H G97GV + H120D + Q137HG97GV + H120N A16P + G97GA + P131S + Q137D + N204S L96LG + H120D +P131H + R186L L96LG + H120D + G160D G97GA + R186C G97GA + H120N + S212LV4A + G97GV + H120D G97GA + Q137H + N218S G20* + L21F + *63aG + Q245R +N272V V68A + H120N + P131S + Q137H + Q245M G20* + L21F + *61aA + V68A +Q245R V28I + V68A + Q245R + N252A V68A + A194T + Q245R + N252E V68A +Q245R + N252S G20* + L21F + *62aS + N218D + Q245R G20* + L21F + *61aS +V68A + G160D + Q245Rwherein

-   -   (a) the variant of Table II exhibits protease activity, and    -   (b) each position corresponds to a position of the amino acid        sequence of subtilisin BPN′, shown in FIG. 1 and SEQ ID NO: 1.

In a tenth aspect the present invention relates to a subtilase variantcomprising one of the alterations N252D and N252M.

In an eleventh aspect the present invention relates to a subtilasevariant comprising one or more of the alterations M119L, I, V, A, S;M175L, I, V, A, S and M222L, I, V, A, S in combination with thesubtilase variants listed in tables I and II above.

Concerning alignment and numbering, reference is made to FIG. 1 whichshows an alignment between subtilisin BPN′ (a) (BASBPN) and subtilisin309 (b) (BLSAVI). This alignment is in this patent application used as areference for numbering the residues.

DEFINITIONS

Prior to discussing this invention in further detail, the followingterms and conventions will first be defined.

For a detailed description of the nomenclature of amino acids andnucleic acids, we refer to WO 00/71691 beginning at page 5, herebyincorporated by reference.

Nomenclature and Conventions for Designation of Variants

In describing the various subtilase enzyme variants produced orcontemplated according to the invention, the following nomenclatures andconventions have been adapted for ease of reference:

A frame of reference is first defined by aligning the isolated or parentenzyme with subtilisin BPN′ (BASBPN).

The alignment can be obtained by the GAP routine of the GCG packageversion 9.1 to number the variants using the following parameters: gapcreation penalty=8 and gap extension penalty=8 and all other parameterskept at their default values.

Another method is to use known recognized alignments between subtilases,such as the alignment indicated in WO 91/00345. In most cases thedifferences will not be of any importance.

Thereby a number of deletions and insertions will be defined in relationto BASBPN (SEQ ID NO.1). In FIG. 1, subtilisin 309 (SEQ ID NO.2) has 6deletions in positions 36, 58, 158, 162, 163, and 164 in comparison toBASBPN. These deletions are in FIG. 1 indicated by asterixes (*).

For a detailed description of the nomenclature of modificationsintroduced in a polypeptide by genetic manipulation we refer to WO00/71691 page 7-12, hereby incorporated by reference.

Proteases

Enzymes cleaving the amide linkages in protein substrates are classifiedas proteases, or (interchangeably) peptidases (see Walsh, 1979,Enzymatic Reaction Mechanisms. W.H. Freeman and Company, San Francisco,Chapter 3).

Numbering of Amino Acid Positions/Residues

If nothing else is mentioned the amino acid numbering used hereincorrespond to that of the subtilase BPN′ (BASBPN) sequence. For furtherdescription of the BPN′ sequence, see FIG. 1, SEQ ID NO: 1 or Siezen etal., Protein Engng. 4 (1991) 719-737.

Serine Proteases

A serine protease is an enzyme which catalyzes the hydrolysis of peptidebonds, and in which there is an essential serine residue at the activesite (White, Handler and Smith, 1973 “Principles of Biochemistry,” FifthEdition, McGraw-Hill Book Company, NY, pp. 271-272).

The bacterial serine proteases have molecular weights in the 20,000 to45,000 Dalton range. They are inhibited by diisopropylfluorophosphate.They hydrolyze simple terminal esters and are similar in activity toeukaryotic chymotrypsin, also a serine protease. A more narrow term,alkaline protease, covering a sub-group, reflects the high pH optimum ofsome of the serine proteases, from pH 9.0 to 11.0 (for review, seePriest (1977) Bacteriological Rev. 41 711-753).

Subtilases

A sub-group of the serine proteases tentatively designated subtilaseshas been proposed by Siezen et al., Protein Engng. 4 (1991) 719-737 andSiezen et al. Protein Science 6 (1997) 501-523. They are defined byhomology analysis of more than 170 amino acid sequences of serineproteases previously referred to as subtilisin-like proteases. Asubtilisin was previously often defined as a serine protease produced byGram-positive bacteria or fungi, and according to Siezen et al. now is asubgroup of the subtilases. A wide variety of subtilases have beenidentified, and the amino acid sequence of a number of subtilases hasbeen determined. For a more detailed description of such subtilases andtheir amino acid sequences reference is made to Siezen et al. (1997).

One subgroup of the subtilases, I-S1 or “true” subtilisins, comprisesthe “classical” subtilisins, such as subtilisin 168 (BSS168), subtilisinBPN′, subtilisin Carlsberg (ALCALASE®, NOVOZYMES NS), and subtilisin DY(BSSDY).

A further subgroup of the subtilases, 1-S2 or high alkaline subtilisins,is recognized by Siezen et al. (supra). Sub-group 1-S2 proteases aredescribed as highly alkaline subtilisins and comprises enzymes such assubtilisin PB92 (BAALKP) (MAXACAL®, Genencor International Inc.),subtilisin 309 (SAVINASE®, NOVOZYMES NS), subtilisin 147 (BLS147)(ESPERASE®, NOVOZYMES NS), and alkaline elastase YaB (BSEYAB).

“SAVINAS®”

SAVINASE® is marketed by NOVOZYMES NS. It is subtilisin 309 from B.Lentus and differs from BAALKP only in one position (N87S). SAVINASE®has the amino acid sequence designated b) in FIG. 1 and in SEQ ID NO: 2.

Parent Subtilase

The term “parent subtilase” describes a subtilase defined according toSiezen et al. (1991 and 1997). For further details see description of“Subtilases” above. A parent subtilase may also be a subtilase isolatedfrom a natural source, wherein subsequent modifications have been madewhile retaining the characteristic of a subtilase. Furthermore, a parentsubtilase may be a subtilase which has been prepared by the DNAshuffling technique, such as described by J. E. Ness et al., NatureBiotechnology, 17, 893-896 (1999).

Alternatively the term “parent subtilase” may be termed “wild typesubtilase”.

For reference a table of the acronyms for various subtilases mentionedherein is provided, for further acronyms, see Siezen et al., ProteinEngng. 4 (1991) 719-737 and Siezen et al. Protein Science 6 (1997)501-523.

TABLE III Organism enzyme acronym Bacteria: Gram-positive Bacillussubtilis 168 subtilisin I168, apr BSS168 Bacillus amyloliquefacienssubtilisin BPN′ (NOVO) BASBPN Bacillus subtilis DY subtilisin DY BSSDYBacillus licheniformis subtilisin Carlsberg BLSCAR Bacillus lentussubtilisin 309 BLSAVI Bacillus lentus subtilisin 147 BLS147 Bacillusalcalophilus PB92 subtilisin PB92 BAPB92 Bacillus YaB alkaline elastaseYaB BYSYAB Thermoactinomyces vulgaris thermitase TVTHERModification(s) of a Subtilase Variant The term “modification(s)” usedherein is defined to include chemical modification of a subtilase aswell as genetic manipulation of the DNA encoding a subtilase. Themodification(s) can be replacement(s) of the amino acid side chain(s),substitution(s), deletion(s) and/or insertions in or at the aminoacid(s) of interest.

Subtilase Variants

In the context of this invention, the term subtilase variant or mutatedsubtilase means a subtilase that has been produced by an organism whichis expressing a mutant gene derived from a parent microorganism whichpossessed an original or parent gene and which produced a correspondingparent enzyme, the parent gene having been mutated in order to producethe mutant gene from which said mutated subtilase protease is producedwhen expressed in a suitable host.

Homologous Subtilase Sequences

The homology between two amino acid sequences is in this contextdescribed by the parameter “identity”.

In order to determine the degree of identity between two subtilases theGAP routine of the GCG package version 9.1 can be applied (infra) usingthe same settings. The output from the routine is besides the amino acidalignment the calculation of the “Percent Identity” between the twosequences.

Based on this description it is routine for a person skilled in the artto identify suitable homologous subtilases, which can be modifiedaccording to the invention.

Isolated Polynucleotides

The term “isolated”, when applied to a polynucleotide, denotes that thepolynucleotide has been removed from its natural genetic milieu and isthus free of other extraneous or unwanted coding sequences, and is in aform suitable for use within genetically engineered protein productionsystems. Such isolated molecules are those that are separated from theirnatural environment and include cDNA and genomic clones. Isolated DNAmolecules of the present invention are free of other genes with whichthey are ordinarily associated, but may include naturally occurring 5′and 3′ untranslated regions such as promoters and terminators. Theidentification of associated regions will be evident to one of ordinaryskill in the art (see for example, Dynan and Tijan, Nature 316:774-78,1985). The term “an isolated polynucleotide” may alternatively be termed“a cloned polynucleotide”.

Isolated Proteins

When applied to a protein, the term “isolated” indicates that theprotein has been removed from its native environment. In a preferredform, the isolated protein is substantially free of other proteins,particularly other homologous proteins (i.e. “homologous impurities”(see below)).

An isolated protein is more than 10% pure, preferably more than 20%pure, more preferably more than 30% pure, as determined by SDS-PAGE.Further it is preferred to provide the protein in a highly purifiedform, i.e., more than 40% pure, more than 60% pure, more than 80% pure,more preferably more than 95% pure, and most preferably more than 99%pure, as determined by SDS-PAGE.

The term “isolated protein” may alternatively be termed “purifiedprotein”.

Homologous Impurities

The term “homologous impurities” means any impurity (e.g. anotherpolypeptide than the subtilase of the invention), which originate fromthe homologous cell where the subtilase of the invention is originallyobtained from.

Obtained from

The term “obtained from” as used herein in connection with a specificmicrobial source, means that the polynucleotide and/or subtilaseproduced by the specific source, or by a cell in which a gene from thesource has been inserted.

Substrate

The term “substrate” used in connection with a substrate for a proteaseshould be interpreted in its broadest form as comprising a compoundcontaining at least one peptide (amide) bond susceptible to hydrolysisby a subtilisin protease.

Product

The term “product” used in connection with a product derived from aprotease enzymatic reaction should, in the context of the presentinvention, be interpreted to include the products of a hydrolysisreaction involving a subtilase protease. A product may be the substratein a subsequent hydrolysis reaction.

Wash Performance

In the present context the term “wash performance” is used as anenzyme's ability to remove proteinaceous or organic stains present onthe object to be cleaned during e.g. wash or hard surface cleaning. Seealso the wash performance test in Example 3 herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 shows an alignment between subtilisin BPN′ (a) and Savinase® (b)using the GAP routine mentioned above.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to novel subtilase variants exhibitingalterations relative to the parent subtilase in one or more propertiesincluding: Wash performance, thermal stability, storage stability orcatalytic activity.

Variants which are contemplated as being part of the invention are suchvariants where, when compared to the wild-type subtilase, one or moreamino acid residues has been substituted, deleted or inserted, saidvariants comprising at least

-   -   a) an insertion, substitution or deletion of one of the amino        acid residues K,H,R,E,D,Q,N,C,V,L,I,P,M,F,W,Y,G,A,S,T in one or        more of the positions 62, 68, 97, 98, 99, 106, 131, 170, 245,        252,        in combination with at least one of the following modifications        *0AQSVPWG; A1T,V; Q2L; S3T,A,L; V4L,A; I8V,T; S9G,D,R,K,L,V;        R10H,K; V11A; Q12D; A13V; P14S,T,D,A,M,V,K,Q,L,H,R,I; A15M,T;        A16P; H17R; N18S,H; R19W,K,L,F,G,I; G20*,R,A; L21F,LP,LW,LA,LG;        T22S,A,K,TV,TG,TL,TW,TV,G,L,TY; G23S; S24P; K27R, V28I; V30I;        I35T,V;T38S; P40L; N43D; R45H,K; G46D; A48T; S49N; F50S;        V51A,I,D; P52V,A; P55S,A; S57P; G61E,D,S,R,GP;        N62D,ND,NE,DE,NG,E,S; V68A,S,L,I; T71A; I72V; L75I; N76S,D;        N77S; S78T; V81A; A85T; S87C; A88V,T; E89G; K94N; V95C,T;        L96LA,LG; G97E,D,W,A,GG,GA,GV,N,GS;        A98S,D,E,T,AS,AD,AV,AE,AH,Q,N,M,L,G,R,V,S;        S99D,L,A,AD,SD,SM,SG,DA,P,G,N,C,M,V,I; G100S,GE,C; S101SA, SK;        G102D,S; S103D,E,Y,L,Q,H,T; V104T,S,R,I,N,M,L,D;        S106D,E,T,M,G,A,L,F,I; I107T,V,M; A108V,T,S; L111I,V; A114V;        N116S,D; G118D; M119L,I,V,A,S; H120N,D,Q,K,E,Y,S; V121A; L124C;        L126I; G127E; S128N,I,G,C; P129PSN,T,E,D,S,N,A; S130P,T,C,*;        P131M,F,W,L,A,H,T,*,PA,S,Q,R,E,G,D,C; S132G,T; A133ASA; T134A;        Q137H,E,D; A138G,V; V139L,I; N140D, K; T143A; S144D, N,P; R145G;        V150I; A151V,G; A152P; A158T,V,C,E,L,D, M; G160A,D; S163G,C,N,A;        Y167K,A,I; A168G; A169G; R170C,S,H,L; Y171C; A172V; N173D;        A174V; M175L,I,V,A,S,T; N183D; N184D,S; N185S,D; R186L,C,H;        S188G; S190A; Y192H; G195F,E; V203S,A,L,Q,M, F,I; N204T,D,S;        Q206L; Y209C,H; G211D; S212N,L; T213A; Y214C,H; A215D,T;        N218D,S; M222L,I,V,A,S; A223G; T224A,S; A228T; A230V;        A232S,L,T,P; V234I; Q236A,L,D,T,C,M,F,S; K237R; N238D; P239T,S;        S240F; S242T; V244I, M,A; Q245R,K,E,D,T,F,N,V,W,G,I,S,C,L,A,M;        N248P,D,S; K251E,R; N252G,H,D,V,M,S,T,E,Y,S,Q,K,A,L; A254S;        T255A,S; S256N,R,G; L257G; G258K, S259A,N,G; T260A,R; N261D;        L262S, Q,V; Y263H,F; G264E; S265G,R,N; V268L,I; N269T; N296K;        E271A; T274S,L,A,R or    -   b) one of the following combination variants        A108T+L111V; L124I+S125A; P129S+S130AT; L96LA+A151G+V203A;        S49N+V203L+N218D; S3T+A16P+R45C+G100S+A230V; I8V+R19K+V139I;        N76D+A174AL+A194P+A230V; N185R; N62NE; H120Q+Q137E, G61GE,        G61GS, G100L, A133D, V68A, N123D, L111F+Y263H,        V11A+G61GE+V227A+S240F, A133E+S144K+N218D, S128A+P129S+S130SP,        S9R+A15T+T22TQ+S101P, S9R+A15T+H120R+Q137D+N173S, G97E, Q245W,        S9R+A15T+L96LG+Q137E+Y209H, S9R+A15T+L111V+Q137E+G211D,        S9R+A15T+L111I+Q137E, S9R+A15T+L111I+H120N+Q137E,        S9R+A15T+L96LG+H120Q+Q137E, S9R+A15T+T260M, S9R+A15T, Q245I,        S9R+A15T+H120G+Q137E+N218D, S9R+A15T+S130P, Q245F,        S9R+A15T+N218D, G63E+N76D+A194P+A230V, S9R+A15T+T224A, G100S,        S9R+A15T+D60DG, A138V+V139I+A194P+N218D+A230V,        A108V+A169G+R170A+Y171H,        I8V+P14L+R19L+V30I+I35V+S57P+P129S+Q137D+S144D+S256N,        A133D+T134S+Q137A, Q137D, A98AH, V51D, Q12E+P14L+A15T,        G63E+N76D+A194P+A230V, Q12E+P14L+A15T, G97GS or    -   c) one or more modifications in position 68, wherein said        modification(s) comprise(s): deletion, insertion and/or        substitution of an amino acid residue selected from the group        consisting of K,H,R,E,D,Q,N,C,V,L,I,P,M,F,W,Y,G,A,S and T.

Further, variants of the present invention comprises at least one ormore of the alterations indicated in Table I and II, wherein

-   -   (a) the variants of Table I and II has protease activity, and    -   (b) each position corresponds to a position of the amino acid        sequence of subtilisin BPN′ (SEQ ID NO: 1).

A subtilase variant of the first aspect of the invention may be a parentor wild-type subtilase identified and isolated from nature. Such aparent wild-type subtilase may be specifically screened for by standardtechniques known in the art.

One preferred way of doing this may be by specifically PCR amplifyconserved DNA regions of interest from subtilases from numerousdifferent microorganism, preferably different Bacillus strains.

Subtilases are a group of conserved enzymes, in the sense that their DNAand amino acid sequences are homologous. Accordingly it is possible toconstruct relatively specific primers flanking the polynucleotidesequences of interest.

Using such PCR primers to amplify DNA from a number of differentmicroorganisms, preferably different Bacillus strains, followed by DNAsequencing of said amplified PCR fragments, it will be possible toidentify strains which produce subtilase variants of the invention.Having identified the strain and a partial DNA sequence of such asubtilase of interest, it is routine work for a person skilled in theart to complete cloning, expression and purification of such asubtilase. However, it is envisaged that a subtilase variant of theinvention is predominantly a variant of a parent subtilase.

A subtilase variant suitable for the uses described herein may beconstructed by standard techniques known in the art such as bysite-directed/random mutagenesis or by DNA shuffling of differentsubtilase sequences. See the “Material and Methods” section and Example1 herein (vide infra) for further details.

As will be acknowledged by the skilled person, the variants describedherein may comprise one or more further modifications, in particular oneor more further substitutions or insertions. Moreover, the variantsdescribed herein may encompass mutation at more than just one position.For example the variant according to the invention may contain mutationsat one position, two positions, three positions or more than threepositions, such as four to eight positions.

It is preferred that the parent subtilase belongs to the subgroups I-S1or 1-S2, especially subgroup 1-S2, both for enzymes from nature or fromthe artificial creation of diversity, and for designing and producingvariants from a parent subtilase.

In relation to variants from subgroup I-S1, it is preferred to select aparent subtilase from the group consisting of BSS168 (BSSAS, BSAPRJ,BSAPRN, BMSAMP), BASBPN, BSSDY, BLSCAR (BLKERA, BLSCA1, BLSCA2, BLSCA3),BSSPRC, and BSSPRD, or functional variants thereof having retained thecharacteristic of sub-group I-S1.

In relation to variants from subgroup 1-S2 it is preferred to select aparent subtilase from the group consisting of BSAPRQ, BLS147 (BSAPRM,BAH101), BLSAVI (BSKSMK, BAALKP, BLSUBL), BYSYAB, BAPB92, TVTHER, andBSAPRS, or functional variants thereof having retained thecharacteristic of sub-group I-S2.

In particular, the parent subtilase is BLSAVI (Savinase®, NOVOZYMES NS),and a preferred subtilase variant of the invention is accordingly avariant of Savinase®.

The present invention also encompasses any of the above mentionedsubtilase variants in combination with any other modification to theamino acid sequence thereof. Especially combinations with othermodifications known in the art to provide improved properties to theenzyme are envisaged. The art describes a number of subtilase variantswith different improved properties and a number of those are mentionedin the “Background of the invention” section herein (vide supra). Thosereferences are disclosed here as references to identify a subtilasevariant, which advantageously can be combined with a subtilase variantdescribed herein.

Such combinations comprise the positions: 222 (improves oxidationstability), 218 (improves thermal stability), substitutions in theCa²⁺-binding sites stabilizing the enzyme, e.g. position 76, and manyother apparent from the prior art.

In further embodiments a subtilase variant described herein mayadvantageously be combined with one or more modification(s) in any ofthe positions:

27, 36, 56, 76, 87, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100, 101, 102, 103, 104, 120,123, 159, 167, 170, 206, 218, 222, 224, 232, 235, 236, 245, 248, 252 and274.

Specifically, the following BLSAVI, BLSUBL, BSKSMK, and BAALKPmodifications are considered appropriate for combination:

K27R, *36D, S56P, N62D, V68A, N76D, S87N, G97N, S99SE, S101G, S103A,V104A, V104I, V104N, V104Y, S106A, H120D, H120N,N123S, G159D, Y167A,R170S, R170L, A194P, N204D, V205I, Q206E, L217D, N218S, N218D, M222S,M222A, T224S, A232V, K235L, Q236H, Q245R, N248D, N252K and T274A.

Furthermore variants comprising any of the modificationsK27R+V104Y+N123S+T274A, N76D+S103A+V104I, N76D+V104A, S87N+S101G+V104N,S99D+S101R+S103A+V104I+G160S,S3T+V4I+S99D+S101R+S103A+V104I+G160S+A194P+V199M+V205I+L217D,S3T+V4I+S99D+S101R+S103A+V104I+G160S+V199M+V205I+L217D,S3T+V4I+S99D+S101R+S103A+V104I+G160S+V205I, S101G+V104N, or othercombinations of the modifications K27R, *36D, S56P, N62D, V68A, N76D,S87N, G97N, S99SE, S101G, S103A, V104A, V104I, V104N, V104Y, S106A,H120D, H120N, N123S, G159D, Y167A, R170S, R170L, A194P, N204D, V205I,Q206E, L217D, N218S, N218D, M222A, M222S, T224S, A232V, K235L, Q236H,Q245R, N248D, N252K and T274A in combination with any one or more of themodification(s) mentioned above exhibit improved properties.

A particular interesting variant is a variant, which, in addition tomodifications according to the invention, contains the followingsubstitutions: S101G+S103A+V104I+G159D+A232V+Q236H+Q245R+N248D+N252K.

Moreover, subtilase variants of the main aspect(s) of the invention arepreferably combined with one or more modification(s) in any of thepositions 129, 131 and 194, preferably as 129K, 131H and 194Pmodifications, and most preferably as P129K, P131H and A194Pmodifications. Any of those modification(s) are expected to provide ahigher expression level of the subtilase variant in the productionthereof.

The wash performance of a selected variant of the invention may betested in the wash performance test disclosed in Example 3 herein. Thewash performance test may be employed to assess the ability of avariant, when incorporated in a standard or commercial detergentcomposition, to remove proteinaceous stains from a standard textile ascompared to a reference system, namely the parent subtilase or a similarsubtilase exhibiting an even better wash performance (incorporated inthe same detergent system and tested under identical conditions). Theenzyme variants of the present application were tested using theAutomatic Mechanical Stress Assay (AMSA). With the AMSA test the washperformance of a large quantity of small volume enzyme-detergentsolutions can be examined rapidly. Using this test, the wash performanceof a selected variant can be initially investigated, the rationale beingthat if a selected variant does not show a significant improvement inthe test compared to the parent subtilase, it is normally not necessaryto carry out further test experiments.

Therefore, variants which are particularly interesting for the purposesdescribed herein, are such variants which, when tested in a commercialdetergent composition such as a US type detergent, an Asian type, aEuropean type or a Latin American type detergent as described in thewash performance test (Example 3), shows an improved wash performance ascompared to the parent subtilase tested under identical conditions.

The improvement in the wash performance may be quantified by calculatingthe so-called intensity value (Int) defined in Example 3, herein.

In a very interesting embodiment of the invention, the variant of theinvention, when tested in the wash performance test has a PerformanceScore (S) of at least 1, preferably a Performance Score of 2, where:

S (2)=variant performs better than the reference at all three enzymeconcentrations (5, 10 and 30 nM),

S (1)=variant performs better than the reference at one or twoconcentrations.

Evidently, it is preferred that the variant of the invention fulfils theabove criteria on at least the stated lowest level, more preferably atthe stated highest level.

Producing a Subtilase Variant

Many methods for cloning a subtilase and for introducing substitutions,deletions or insertions into genes (e.g. subtilase genes) are well knownin the art.

In general standard procedures for cloning of genes and introducingmutations (random and/or site directed) into said genes may be used inorder to obtain a subtilase variant of the invention. For furtherdescription of suitable techniques reference is made to Example 1 herein(vide infra) and (Sambrook et al. (1989) Molecular cloning: A laboratorymanual, Cold Spring Harbor lab., Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y.; Ausubel, F.M. et al. (eds.) “Current protocols in Molecular Biology”. John Wileyand Sons, 1995; Harwood, C. R., and Cutting, S. M. (eds.) “MolecularBiological Methods for Bacillus”. John Wiley and Sons, 1990), and WO96/34946.

Further, a subtilase variant may be constructed by standard techniquesfor artificial creation of diversity, such as by DNA shuffling ofdifferent subtilase genes (WO 95/22625; Stemmer WPC, Nature 370:389-91(1994)). DNA shuffling of e.g. the gene encoding Savinase® with one ormore partial subtilase sequences identified in nature, will aftersubsequent screening for improved wash performance variants, providesubtilase variants suitable for the purposes described herein.

Expression Vectors

A recombinant expression vector comprising a DNA construct encoding theenzyme of the invention may be any vector that may conveniently besubjected to recombinant DNA procedures.

The choice of vector will often depend on the host cell into which it isto be introduced. Thus, the vector may be an autonomously replicatingvector, i.e. a vector that exists as an extra-chromosomal entity, thereplication of which is independent of chromosomal replication, e.g. aplasmid.

Alternatively, the vector may be one that on introduction into a hostcell is integrated into the host cell genome in part or in its entiretyand replicated together with the chromosome(s) into which it has beenintegrated.

The vector is preferably an expression vector in which the DNA sequenceencoding the enzyme of the invention is operably linked to additionalsegments required for transcription of the DNA. In general, theexpression vector is derived from plasmid or viral DNA, or may containelements of both. The term, “operably linked” indicates that thesegments are arranged so that they function in concert for theirintended purposes, e.g. transcription initiates in a promoter andproceeds through the DNA sequence coding for the enzyme.

The promoter may be any DNA sequence that shows transcriptional activityin the host cell of choice and may be derived from genes encodingproteins either homologous or heterologous to the host cell.

Examples of suitable promoters for use in bacterial host cells includethe promoter of the Bacillus stearothermophilus maltogenic amylase gene,the Bacillus licheniformis alpha-amylase gene, the Bacillusamyloliquefaciens alpha-amylase gene, the Bacillus subtilis alkalineprotease gene, or the Bacillus pumilus xylosidase gene, or the phageLambda P_(R) or P_(L) promoters or the E. coli lac, trp or tacpromoters.

The DNA sequence encoding the enzyme of the invention may also, ifnecessary, be operably connected to a suitable terminator.

The recombinant vector of the invention may further comprise a DNAsequence enabling the vector to replicate in the host cell in question.The vector may also comprise a selectable marker, e.g. a gene theproduct of which complements a defect in the host cell, or a geneencoding resistance to e.g. antibiotics like kanamycin, chloramphenicol,erythromycin, tetracycline, spectinomycine, or the like, or resistanceto heavy metals or herbicides.

To direct an enzyme of the present invention into the secretory pathwayof the host cells, a secretory signal sequence (also known as a leadersequence, prepro sequence or pre sequence) may be provided in therecombinant vector. The secretory signal sequence is joined to the DNAsequence encoding the enzyme in the correct reading frame. Secretorysignal sequences are commonly positioned 5′ to the DNA sequence encodingthe enzyme. The secretory signal sequence may be that normallyassociated with the enzyme or may be from a gene encoding anothersecreted protein.

The procedures used to ligate the DNA sequences coding for the presentenzyme, the promoter and optionally the terminator and/or secretorysignal sequence, respectively, or to assemble these sequences bysuitable PCR amplification schemes, and to insert them into suitablevectors containing the information necessary for replication orintegration, are well known to persons skilled in the art (cf., forinstance, Sambrook et al., op. cit.).

Host Cells

The DNA sequence encoding the present enzyme introduced into the hostcell may be either homologous or heterologous to the host in question.If homologous to the host cell, i.e. produced by the host cell innature, it will typically be operably connected to another promotersequence or, if applicable, another secretory signal sequence and/orterminator sequence than in its natural environment. The term“homologous” is intended to include a DNA sequence encoding an enzymenative to the host organism in question. The term “heterologous” isintended to include a DNA sequence not expressed by the host cell innature. Thus, the DNA sequence may be from another organism, or it maybe a synthetic sequence.

The host cell into which the DNA construct or the recombinant vector ofthe invention is introduced may be any cell that is capable of producingthe present enzyme and includes bacteria, yeast, fungi and highereukaryotic cells including plants.

Examples of bacterial host cells which, on cultivation, are capable ofproducing the enzyme of the invention are gram-positive bacteria such asstrains of Bacillus, such as strains of B. alkalophilus, B.amyloliquefaciens, B. brevis, B. circulans, B. coagulans, B. lautus, B.lentus, B. licheniformis, B. megaterium, B. stearothermophilus, B.subtilis, or B. thuringiensis, or strains of Streptomyces, such as S.lividans or S. murinus, or gram-negative bacteria such as Escherichiacoli.

The transformation of the bacteria may be effected by protoplasttransformation, electroporation, conjugation, or by using competentcells in a manner known per se (cf. Sambrook et al., supra).

When expressing the enzyme in bacteria such as E. coli, the enzyme maybe retained in the cytoplasm, typically as insoluble granules (known asinclusion bodies), or may be directed to the periplasmic space by abacterial secretion sequence. In the former case, the cells are lysedand the granules are recovered and denatured after which the enzyme isrefolded by diluting the denaturing agent. In the latter case, theenzyme may be recovered from the periplasmic space by disrupting thecells, e.g. by sonication or osmotic shock, to release the contents ofthe periplasmic space and recovering the enzyme.

When expressing the enzyme in gram-positive bacteria such as Bacillus orStreptomyces strains, the enzyme may be retained in the cytoplasm, ormay be directed to the extracellular medium by a bacterial secretionsequence. In the latter case, the enzyme may be recovered from themedium as described below.

Methods for Producing a Subtilase Variant

The present invention provides a method of producing an isolated enzymeaccording to the invention, wherein a suitable host cell, which has beentransformed with a DNA sequence encoding the enzyme, is cultured underconditions permitting the production of the enzyme, and the resultingenzyme is recovered from the culture.

When an expression vector comprising a DNA sequence encoding the enzymeis trans-formed into a heterologous host cell it is possible to enableheterologous recombinant production of the enzyme of the invention.Thereby it is possible to make a highly purified subtilase composition,characterized in being free from homologous impurities.

The medium used to culture the transformed host cells may be anyconventional medium suitable for growing the host cells in question. Theexpressed subtilase may conveniently be secreted into the culture mediumand may be recovered there-from by well-known procedures includingseparating the cells from the medium by centrifugation or filtration,precipitating proteinaceous components of the medium by means of a saltsuch as ammonium sulfate, followed by chromatographic procedures such asion exchange chromatography, affinity chromatography, or the like.

Cleaning and Detergent Compositions

The enzyme of the invention may be added to and thus become a componentof a detergent composition. In general, cleaning and detergentcompositions are well described in the art and reference is made to WO96/34946; WO 97/07202; WO 95/30011 for further description of suitablecleaning and detergent compositions.

The detergent composition of the invention may for example be formulatedas a hand or machine laundry detergent composition including a laundryadditive composition suitable for pre-treatment of stained fabrics and arinse added fabric softener composition, or be formulated as a detergentcomposition for use in general household hard surface cleaningoperations, or be formulated for hand or machine dishwashing operations.

In a specific aspect, the invention provides a detergent additivecomprising the enzyme of the invention. The detergent additive as wellas the detergent composition may comprise one or more other enzymes suchas a protease, a lipase, a cutinase, an amylase, a carbohydrase, acellulase, a pectinase, a mannanase, an arabinase, a galactanase, axylanase, an oxidase, e.g., a laccase, and/or a peroxidase.

In general the properties of the chosen enzyme(s) should be compatiblewith the selected detergent, (i.e. pH-optimum, compatibility with otherenzymatic and non-enzymatic ingredients, etc.), and the enzyme(s) shouldbe present in effective amounts.

Proteases: Suitable proteases include those of animal, vegetable ormicrobial origin. Microbial origin is preferred. Chemically modified orprotein engineered mutants are included. The protease may be a serineprotease or a metallo protease, preferably an alkaline microbialprotease or a trypsin-like protease. Examples of alkaline proteases aresubtilisins, especially those derived from Bacillus, e.g., subtilisinNovo, subtilisin Carlsberg, subtilisin 309, subtilisin 147 andsubtilisin 168 (described in WO 89/06279). Examples of trypsin-likeproteases are trypsin (e.g. of porcine or bovine origin) and theFusarium protease described in WO 89/06270 and WO 94/25583.

Examples of useful proteases are the variants described in WO 92/19729,WO 98/20115, WO 98/20116, and WO 98/34946, especially the variants withsubstitutions in one or more of the following positions: 27, 36, 57, 76,87, 97, 101, 104, 120, 123, 167, 170, 194, 206, 218, 222, 224, 235 and274.

Preferred commercially available protease enzymes include Durazym®,Relase®, Alcalase®, Savinase®, Primase®, Duralase®, Esperase®, Ovozyme®and Kannase® (Novozymes NS), Maxatase™, Maxacal™, Maxapem™, Properase™,Purafect™, Purafect OxP™, FN2™, FN3™ and FN4™ (Genencor International,Inc.).

Lipases: Suitable lipases include those of bacterial or fungal origin.Chemically modified or protein engineered mutants are included. Examplesof useful lipases include lipases from Humicola (synonym Thermomyces),e.g. from H. lanuginosa (T. lanuginosus) as described in EP 258 068 andEP 305 216 or from H. insolens as described in WO 96/13580, aPseudomonas lipase, e.g. from P. alcaligenes or P. pseudoalcaligenes (EP218 272), P. cepacia (EP 331 376), P. stutzeri (GB 1,372,034), P.fluorescens, Pseudomonas sp. strain SD 705 (WO 95/06720 and WO96/27002), P. wisconsinensis (WO 96/12012), a Bacillus lipase, e.g. fromB. subtilis (Dartois et al. (1993), Biochemica et Biophysica Acta, 1131,253-360), B. stearothermophilus (JP 64/744992) or B. pumilus (WO91/16422).

Other examples are lipase variants such as those described in WO92/05249, WO 94/01541, EP 407 225, EP 260 105, WO 95/35381, WO 96/00292,WO 95/30744, WO 94/25578, WO 95/14783, WO 95/22615, WO 97/04079 and WO97/07202.

Preferred commercially available lipase enzymes include Lipex®,Lipolase® and Lipolase Ultra® (Novozymes NS).

Amylases: Suitable amylases (a and/or (3) include those of bacterial orfungal origin. Chemically modified or protein engineered mutants areincluded. Amylases include, for example, α-amylases obtained fromBacillus, e.g. a special strain of B. licheniformis, described in moredetail in GB 1,296,839.

Examples of useful amylases are the variants described in WO 94/02597,WO 94/18314, WO 96/23873, and WO 97/43424, especially the variants withsubstitutions in one or more of the following positions: 15, 23, 105,106, 124, 128, 133, 154, 156, 181, 188, 190, 197, 202, 208, 209, 243,264, 304, 305, 391, 408, and 444.

Commercially available amylases are Duramyl®, Termamyl®, Fungamyl® andBAN®(Novozymes NS), Rapidase™ and Purastar™ (from Genencor InternationalInc.).

Cellulases: Suitable cellulases include those of bacterial or fungalorigin. Chemically modified or protein engineered mutants are included.Suitable cellulases include cellulases from the genera Bacillus,Pseudomonas, Humicola, Fusarium, Thielavia, Acremonium, e.g. the fungalcellulases produced from Humicola insolens, Myceliophthora thermophilaand Fusarium oxysporum disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,435,307, U.S. Pat.No. 5,648,263, U.S. Pat. No. 5,691,178, U.S. Pat. No. 5,776,757 and WO89/09259.

Especially suitable cellulases are the alkaline or neutral cellulaseshaving colour care benefits. Examples of such cellulases are cellulasesdescribed in EP 0 495 257, EP 0 531 372, WO 96/11262, WO 96/29397, WO98/08940. Other examples are cellulase variants such as those describedin WO 94/07998, EP 0 531 315, U.S. Pat. No. 5,457,046, U.S. Pat. No.5,686,593, U.S. Pat. No. 5,763,254, WO 95/24471, WO 98/12307 andPCT/DK98/00299.

Commercially available cellulases include Celluzyme®, and Carezyme®(Novozymes NS), Clazinase™, and Puradax HA™ (Genencor InternationalInc.), and KAC-500(B)™ (Kao Corporation).

Peroxidases/Oxidases: Suitable peroxidases/oxidases include those ofplant, bacterial or fungal origin. Chemically modified or proteinengineered mutants are included. Examples of useful peroxidases includeperoxidases from Coprinus, e.g. from C. cinereus, and variants thereofas those described in WO 93/24618, WO 95/10602, and WO 98/15257.Commercially available peroxidases include Guardzyme® (Novozymes NS).

The detergent enzyme(s) may be included in a detergent composition byadding separate additives containing one or more enzymes, or by adding acombined additive comprising all of these enzymes. A detergent additiveof the invention, i.e. a separate additive or a combined additive, canbe formulated e.g. as a granulate, a liquid, a slurry, etc. Preferreddetergent additive formulations are granulates, in particularnon-dusting granulates, liquids, in particular stabilized liquids, orslurries.

Non-dusting granulates may be produced, e.g., as disclosed in U.S. Pat.Nos. 4,106,991 and 4,661,452 and may optionally be coated by methodsknown in the art. Examples of waxy coating materials are poly(ethyleneoxide) products (polyethyleneglycol, PEG) with mean molar weights of1000 to 20000; ethoxylated nonylphenols having from 16 to 50 ethyleneoxide units; ethoxylated fatty alcohols in which the alcohol containsfrom 12 to 20 carbon atoms and in which there are 15 to 80 ethyleneoxide units; fatty alcohols; fatty acids; and mono- and di- andtriglycerides of fatty acids. Examples of film-forming coating materialssuitable for application by fluid bed techniques are given in GB1483591. Liquid enzyme preparations may, for instance, be stabilized byadding a polyol such as propylene glycol, a sugar or sugar alcohol,lactic acid or boric acid according to established methods. Protectedenzymes may be prepared according to the method disclosed in EP 238,216.

The detergent composition of the invention may be in any convenientform, e.g., a bar, a tablet, a powder, a granule, a paste or a liquid. Aliquid detergent may be aqueous, typically containing up to 70% waterand 0-30% organic solvent, or non-aqueous.

The detergent composition comprises one or more surfactants, which maybe non-ionic including semi-polar and/or anionic and/or cationic and/orzwitterionic. The surfactants are typically present at a level of from0.1% to 60% by weight.

When included therein the detergent will usually contain from about 1%to about 40% of an anionic surfactant such as linearalkylbenzenesulfonate, alpha-olefinsulfonate, alkyl sulfate (fattyalcohol sulfate), alcohol ethoxysulfate, secondary alkanesulfonate,alpha-sulfo fatty acid methyl ester, alkyl- or alkenylsuccinic acid orsoap.

When included therein the detergent will usually contain from about 0.2%to about 40% of a non-ionic surfactant such as alcohol ethoxylate,nonylphenol ethoxylate, alkylpolyglycoside, alkyldimethylamineoxide,ethoxylated fatty acid monoethanolamide, fatty acid monoethanol-amide,polyhydroxy alkyl fatty acid amide, or N-acyl N-alkyl derivatives ofglucosamine (“glucamides”).

The detergent may contain 0-65% of a detergent builder or complexingagent such as zeolite, diphosphate, triphosphate, phosphonate,carbonate, citrate, nitrilotriacetic acid, ethylene-diaminetetraaceticacid, diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid, alkyl- or alkenyl-succinicacid, soluble silicates or layered silicates (e.g. SKS-6 from Hoechst).

The detergent may comprise one or more polymers. Examples arecarboxymethyl-cellulose, poly(vinylpyrrolidone), poly (ethylene glycol),poly(vinyl alcohol), poly(vinyl-pyridine-N-oxide), poly(vinylimidazole),polycarboxylates such as poly-acrylates, maleic/acrylic acid copolymersand lauryl methacrylate/acrylic acid copolymers.

The detergent may contain a bleaching system which may comprise a H₂O₂source such as perborate or percarbonate which may be combined with aperacid-forming bleach activator such as tetraacetylethylenediamine ornonanoyloxybenzenesulfonate. Alternatively, the bleaching system maycomprise peroxyacids of e.g. the amide, imide, or sulfone type.

The detergent may also contain other conventional detergent ingredientssuch as e.g. fabric conditioners including clays, foam boosters, sudssuppressors, anti-corrosion agents, soil-suspending agents, anti-soilredeposition agents, dyes, bactericides, optical brighteners,hydrotropes, tarnish inhibitors, or perfumes.

Variations in local and regional conditions, such as water hardness andwash temperature calls for regional detergent compositions. DetergentExamples 1 and 2 provide ranges for the composition of a typical LatinAmerican detergent and a typical European powder detergent respectively.

Detergent Example 1 Typical Latin American Detergent Composition

Group Subname Content Surfactants 0-30% Sulphonates 0-30% Sulphates 0-5%Soaps 0-5% Non-ionics 0-5% Cationics 0-5% FAGA 0-5% Bleach 0-20% SPT/SPM0-15% NOBS, TAED 0-5% Builders 0-60% Phosphates 0-30% Zeolite 0-5%Na2OSiO2 0-10% Na2CO3 0-20% Fillers 0-40% Na2SO4 0-40% Others up to 100%Polymers Enzymes Foam regulators Water Hydrotropes Others

Detergent Example 2 Typical European Powder Detergent Composition

Group Subname Content Surfactants 0-30% Sulphonates 0-20% Sulphates0-15% Soaps 0-10% Non-ionics 0-10% Cationics 0-10% Other 0-10% Bleach0-30% SPT/SPM 0-30% NOBS + TAED 0-10% Builders 0-60% Phosphates 0-40%Zeolite 0-40% Na2OSiO2 0-20% Na2CO3 0-20% Fillers 0-40% Na2SO4 0-40%NaCl 0-40% Others up to 100% Polymers Enzymes Foam regulators WaterHydrotropes Others

The enzyme(s) of the detergent composition of the invention may bestabilized using conventional stabilizing agents, e.g., a polyol such aspropylene glycol or glycerol, a sugar or sugar alcohol, lactic acid,boric acid, or a boric acid derivative, e.g., an aromatic borate ester,or a phenyl boronic acid derivative such as 4-formylphenyl boronic acid,and the composition may be formulated as described in e.g. WO 92/19709and WO 92/19708.

It is at present contemplated that in the detergent compositions anysingle enzyme, in particular the enzyme of the invention, may be addedin an amount corresponding to 0.01-200 mg of enzyme protein per liter ofwash liquor, preferably 0.05-50 mg of enzyme protein per liter of washliquor, in particular 0.1-10 mg of enzyme protein per liter of washliquor.

The enzyme of the invention may additionally be incorporated in thedetergent formulations disclosed in WO 97/07202 which is herebyincorporated as reference.

Materials and Methods Textiles:

Standard textile pieces are obtained from EMPA St. Gallen,Lerchfeldstrasse 5, CH-9014 St. Gallen, Switzerland. Especially typeEMPA116 (cotton textile stained with blood, milk and ink) and EMPA117(polyester/cotton textile stained with blood, milk and ink).

Strains and Plasmids:

Bacillus lentus strain 309 is deposited with the NCIB and accorded theaccession number NCIB 10309, and described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,723,250incorporated by reference herein. The parent subtilase 309 or Savinase®can be obtained from Strain 309. The expression host organism isBacillus subtilis.

The plasmid pSX222 is used as E. coli-B. subtilis shuttle vector and B.subtilis expression vector (as described in WO 96/34946).

General Molecular Biology Methods:

Unless otherwise mentioned the DNA manipulations and transformations areperformed using standard methods of molecular biology (Sambrook et al.(1989) Molecular cloning: A laboratory manual, Cold Spring Harbor lab.,Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y.; Ausubel, F. M. et al. (eds.) “Currentprotocols in Molecular Biology”. John Wiley and Sons, 1995; Harwood, C.R., and Cutting, S. M. (eds.) “Molecular Biological Methods forBacillus”. John Wiley and Sons, 1990).

Enzymes for DNA Manipulations

Unless otherwise mentioned all enzymes for DNA manipulations, such ase.g. restriction endonucleases, ligases etc., are obtained from NewEngland Biolabs, Inc. Enzymes for DNA manipulations are used accordingto the specifications of the suppliers.

Fermentation:

Fermentations for the production of subtilase enzymes are performed atpH 7.3 and 37° C. on a rotary shaking table at 225 rpm. in 50 ml tubescontaining 15 ml double TY media for 2-3 days.

For a description of TY media, see page 1.1.3, Media Preparation andBacteriological Tools in “Current protocols in Molecular Biology”. JohnWiley and Sons, 1995; Harwood, C. R., and Cutting, S. M. (eds.).

Purification

The subtilase variant secreted from the host cells may conveniently berecovered from the culture medium by well-known procedures, includingseparating the cells from the medium by centrifugation or filtration,and precipitating proteinaceous components of the medium by means of asalt such as ammonium sulfate, followed by the use of chromatographicprocedures such as ion exchange chromatography, affinity chromatography,or the like.

Wash Performance Test

In order to assess the wash performance of selected subtilase variantsin detergent compositions, washing experiments are performed. The enzymevariants are tested using the Automatic Mechanical Stress Assay (AMSA).With the AMSA test the wash performance of a large quantity of smallvolume enzyme-detergent solutions can be examined. The AMSA plate has anumber of slots for test solutions and a lid firmly squeezing thetextile swatch to be washed against all the slot openings. During thewashing time, the plate, test solutions, textile and lid are vigorouslyshaken to bring the test solution in contact with the textile and applymechanical stress. For further description see WO 02/42740 especiallythe paragraph “Special method embodiments” at page 23-24.

Detergents

Detergents for wash performance tests of the subtilase enzymes of theinvention can be obtained by purchasing fully formulated commercialdetergents at the market and subsequently inactivate the enzymaticcomponents by heat treatment (5 minutes at 85° C. in aqueous solution).Moreover a commercial detergent base without enzymes can be purchaseddirectly from the manufacturer. Further a suitable model detergent canbe composed according to the provisions at page 19-24 herein and usedfor wash performance tests.

Example 1 Construction and Expression of Enzyme Variants Site-DirectedMutagenesis:

Subtilisin 309 (Savinase®) site-directed variants of the inventioncomprising specific insertions/deletions/substitutions are made bytraditional cloning of DNA fragments (Sambrook et al., MolecularCloning: A Laboratory Manual, 2nd Ed., Cold Spring Harbor, 1989)produced by PCR with oligos containing the desired mutations.

The template plasmid DNA may be pSX222, or an analogue of thiscontaining a variant of subtilisin 309. Mutations are introduced byoligo directed mutagenesis to the construction of variants.

The subtilisin 309 variants are transformed into E. coli. DNA purifiedfrom an over night culture of these transformants is transformed into B.subtilis by restriction endonuclease digestion, purification of DNAfragments, ligation, transformation of B. subtilis. Transformation of B.subtilis is performed as described by Dubnau et al., 1971, J. Mol. Biol.56, pp. 209-221.

Site-Directed Mutagenesis in Order to Introduce Mutations in a SpecificRegion:

The overall strategy used to perform site-directed mutagenesis is:

Mutagenic primers (oligonucleotides) are synthesized corresponding tothe DNA sequence flanking the sites of mutation, separated by the DNAbase pairs defining the insertions/deletions/substitutions.

Subsequently, the resulting mutagenic primers are used in a PCR reactionwith the modified plasmid pSX222. The resulting PCR fragment is purifiedand extended in a second PCR-reaction, the resulting PCR product ispurified and extended in a third PCR-reaction before being digested byendonucleases and cloned into the E. coli-B. subtilis shuttle vectorpSX222. The PCR reactions are performed under normal conditions. Theplasmid DNA is transformed into E. coli by well-known techniques and oneE. coli colony is sequenced to confirm the mutation designed.

Each of the variants listed in Table I at page 2 herein can beconstructed as described above.

In order to purify subtilase variants of the invention, the pSX222expression plasmid comprising a variant of the invention was transformedinto a competent B. subtilis strain and fermented as described above.

Example 2 Purification and Assessment of Enzyme Concentration

After fermentation purification of subtilisin variants is accomplishedusing Hydrophobic Charge Induction Chromatography (HCIC) and subsequentvacuum filtration. To capture the enzyme, the HCIC uses a cellulosematrix to which 4-Mercapto-Ethyl-Pyridine (4-MEP) is bound.

Beads of the cellulose matrix sized 80-100 μm are mixed with a mediacontaining yeast extract and the transformed B. subtilis capable ofsecreting the subtilisin variants and incubated at pH 9.5 in Unifilter®microplates.

As 4-MEP is hydrophobic at pH>7 and the subtilisin variants arehydrophobic at pH 9.5 a hydrophobic association is made between thesecreted enzyme and the 4-MEP on the beads. After incubation the mediaand cell debris is removed by vacuum filtration while the beads andenzyme are kept on the filter.

To elute the enzyme from the beads the pH is now lowered by washing thefilter with an elution buffer (pH 5). Hereby the enzymes part from thebeads and can be retrieved from the buffer.

The concentration of the purified subtilisin enzyme variants is assessedby active site titration (AST).

The purified enzyme is incubated with the high affinity inhibitor CI-2Aat different concentrations to inhibit a varying amount of the activesites. The protease and inhibitor binds to each other at a 1:1 ratio andaccordingly the enzyme concentration can be directly related to theconcentration of inhibitor, at which all protease is inactive. Tomeasure the residual protease activity, a substrate (0.6 mMSuc-Ala-Ala-Pro-Phe-pNA in Tris/HCl buffer) is added after theincubation with inhibitor and during the following 4 minutes thedevelopment of the degradation product pNA (paranitrophenol) is measuredperiodically at 405 nm on an Elisa Reader.

Each of the variants of the invention listed in Table I herein waspurified according to the above procedure and subsequently the enzymeconcentration was determined.

Known concentrations of the variants of Table I were tested for washperformance in detergents as described below.

Example 3 Wash Performance of Savinase Variants

In order to assess the wash performance of selected subtilase variantsin a commercial detergent base composition, washing experiments wasperformed. The enzyme variants of the present application were testedusing the Automatic Mechanical Stress Assay (AMSA). With the AMSA testthe wash performance of a large quantity of small volumeenzyme-detergent solutions can be examined. The AMSA plate has a numberof slots for test solutions and a lid firmly squeezing the textileswatch to be washed against all the slot openings. During the washingtime, the plate, test solutions, textile and lid are vigorously shakento bring the test solution in contact with the textile and applymechanical stress. For further description see WO 02/42740 especiallythe paragraph “Special method embodiments” at page 23-24.

Two assays were conducted under the experimental conditions specifiedbelow:

Assay A Commercial detergent base Latin American type Detergent dosage1.5-2.5 g/l Test solution volume 160 micro l pH 10-10.5 adjusted withNaHCO₃ Wash time 14 min. Temperature 20° C. Water hardness 6-9° dHEnzyme concentration in test solution 5 nM, 10 nM and 30 nM Testmaterial EMPA 117

The Latin American type detergent was composed according to theprovisions in Detergent Example 1 at page 24 herein. Water hardness wasadjusted to 6-9° dH by addition of CaCl₂ and MgCl₂ (Ca²⁺:Mg²⁺=4:1) tothe test system. After washing the textile pieces were flushed in tapwater and air-dried.

Assay B Commercial detergent base European powder type 1 Detergentdosage 6 g/l Test solution volume 160 micro l pH as it is in detergent(app. 10-10.5) Wash time 20 min. Temperature 30° C. Water hardness 6-9°dH Enzyme concentration in test solution 5 nM, 10 nM and 30 nM Testmaterial EMPA 116

The European powder type detergent was composed according to theprovisions in Detergent Example 2 at page 24 herein. Water hardness wasadjusted to 15° dH by addition of CaCl₂*2H₂O; MgCl₂*6H₂O; NaHCO₃(Ca²⁺:Mg²⁺:HCO³⁻=4:1:10) to the test system. After washing the textilepieces were flushed in tap water and air-dried.

The performance of the enzyme variant is measured as the brightness ofthe colour of the textile samples washed with that specific enzymevariant. Brightness can also be expressed as the intensity of the lightreflected from the textile sample when luminated with white light. Whenthe textile is stained the intensity of the reflected light is lower,than that of a clean textile. Therefore the intensity of the reflectedlight can be used to measure wash performance of an enzyme variant.

Color measurements are made with a professional flatbed scanner (PFUDL2400pro), which is used to capture an image of the washed textilesamples. The scans are made with a resolution of 200 dpi and with anoutput colour dept of 24 bits. In order to get accurate results, thescanner is frequently calibrated with a Kodak reflective IT8 target.

To extract a value for the light intensity from the scanned images, aspecial designed software application is used (Novozymes Color VectorAnalyzer). The program retrieves the 24 bit pixel values from the imageand converts them into values for red, green and blue (RGB). Theintensity value (Int) is calculated by adding the RGB values together asvectors and then taking the length of the resulting vector:

Int=√{square root over (r ² +g ² +b ²)}.

The wash performance (P) of the variants was calculated in accordancewith the below formula:

P=Int(v)−Int(r)

where

-   -   Int(v) is the light intensity value of textile surface washed        with enzyme variant and    -   Int(r) is the light intensity value of textile surface washed        with the reference enzyme subtilisin 309 (BLSAVI).

The results presented in Table IV and V below are Performance Scores (S)summing up the performances (P) of the tested enzyme variants as:

-   -   S (2) which indicates that the variant performs better than the        reference at all three concentrations (5, 10 and 30 nM) and    -   S (1) which indicates that the variant performs better than the        reference at one or two concentrations.

TABLE IV Wash performance test results, Assay A. Mutations ScoreMutations Score G97E + A98S 2 V28I + A98AD + T224S 2 G97D + A98D 2S99AD + M175V + P131F 1 V95C + G97W + A98E 2 S99AD + P131L 2 V95T +G97A + A98D 2 S9R + S99AD + P131W 1 S103Y + V104M + S106D 1 V68A +N116S + V139L + Q245R 2 V104T + S106D 2 S3T + A16P + R45C + G100S +A230V 2 S3T + A16P + S99SD + S144D + 2 I8V + S9R + A15T + R19W + V30I +2 A158T + A230V + T260R G61D + S99SD + S256N S103D + V104T + S106T 1V30I + S99SD + S256R 2 S103D + V104L + S106M 2 G61S + S99SD + V244I 2S103D + V104T + S106G 2 V68A + V139L + S163G + N185S 2 S103D + V104S +S106A 2 S99SD + Y263H 2 S103H + V104N + S106D 2 V104N + S106T 2 S103E +V104I + S106T 1 S99SG + S144D 1 S103Q + V104T + S106E 2 V30I + S99SD 1S103E + S106T 2 N18H + S99SD 2 S103E + V104R + S106A 2 S9R + T22S +S99SD + K251E 1 A108T + L111V 2 A48T + V68A + P131M 2 L124I + S125A 1A15M + S99SM + V139I + V244I 2 L124C + P131* 2 P14T + A15M + S99SD 2P129S + S130AT 2 I8V + S99SD + S144D + A228T 2 L96LA + A151G + V203A 1I8V + R19K + V139I 2 S99SD + A108V + V139L 2 I35T + N62D 2 S99SD + S190A2 N62D + S265G 2 S99SD + V203A 2 Q2L + N62D 2 S99SD + V139I 1 N62D +N76D 2 S99SD + A108V 2 R45H + G61E + V68A 2 S99SD + S106A + A151G 2N62D + V121A 2 V68A + S106A 2 N62D + A215D 2 V68A + N185D + V203S 2N62D + N238D 2 V68A + V139L 2 N62D + R145G 2 V68A + V139I 2 V4L + N62D +E89G 2 V68A + A158V 2 N62D + S188G + K251R 2 V68A + V203A 2 S49N + N62D2 V68A + V203S 2 N62NE 2 V68A + V203L + S259A 2 V11A + N62DE 2 V68A +S106L 2 N62ND + N184S + S256G 2 V30I + V68A + V203S 2 N18S + N62D +I107T + A254S 2 V51A + V68A + S106T + A168G 1 S57P + N62ND 2 V51A +V68A + S106T + A168G 1 N62NE + V234I 2 V68A + N76S + V203M + P239T 2Q137H + R170C + G195E 1 V68A + V203L 2 S99A + S101SA 2 V68A + L75I +V203Q 2 R10K + P14A + R19K + A98AS + S128N 2 V68A + T71A + V139L 2T22A + R45K + A98AS + S128N 2 Y192H + V68A 2 A98AV + S99D + Y167K 2V68A + S106A + A108T 2 S9G + P14K + Y167A + R170S 2 V68A + S106T + A108T2 S9D + P14T + Y167A + R170S 2 V68S + A108S 2 S9R + P14M + A98AD 1V68A + N76S + G211D 2 S9R + R19L + A98AD + E271A 2 V68A + S106T + A108T1 S9R + P14S + R19F + A98AD 2 A151V + R170C 2 S99DA + P129PSN + P131A 2P14D + A98AS + H120D + 1 S99AD + V244M + Q245K + N248D + 2 G195F +S212N + M222S K251R + T255A + S256N S49N + V203L + N218D 2 S9R + P14V +R19G + A98AD 2 V68A + S106M + N184D 2 S99AD + N248P + T255A + S256G 2P55S + V68L + A158E + G160A 2 *0AQSVPWG + A98AD 2 V68A + A158C 2 T22A +S99AD 2 V68A + A158L + Y214C 2 K94N + A98T + S99L 2 A88V + S99AD + P131F2 N76D + A174AL + A194P + A230V 1 P14T + A16P + I72V + S99SD + 2 P40L +N218D + A232S + Q236L + 2 V244I + T260A Q245E + S259N S99AD + P131F 2A232L + Q236D + Q245E 1 R10H + N62D 2 A232T + Q236L + Q245D 2 V28I +A98AD + T224S 2 R170H + Q236A + Q245R 2 S9K + T22K + S99AD 2 A232L +Q236T + Q245D 2 P14S + S99AD + P131W 2 G97GG + P131H + Q137E + V268L 2V68A + I72V + P131F 2 A88V + G97GV + P131H 2 S9R + S99AD 1 G97GA +H120Q + S130P + G264E 2 S9K + S99AD 2 G97GG + V139L 2 V28I + A88V +G100S + P131M 2 G97GG + Q137D 1 S103L + V104S + S106G 2 G97GG + H120D +Q137H 2 V68A + T224A 2 N185R 2 V68A + P131F 2 P131H + Q137E 1 A48T +V68A + P131M 1 V104I + H120N + P131H + Q137E 2 V68A + I72V + P131F 2H120Q + Q137E 1 G100GE + P131F 2 S9R + A15T + G97GV + H120D 1 S99AD +P131F + T260A 1 G100S + H120Q + Q137H 2 R19G + A98AS 2 V68A + H120K +Q137E 2 G61R + N62D 1 G97GA + H120E 2 V68A + S106M + N184D 2 H120D +S128I + Q137D 2 P55S + V68L + A158E + G160A 2 G97GG + P131H 2 V68A +A158C 2 G97GG + H120N + L126I 2 R19W + G61S + S99SD + N204T + 2 S9R +A15T + G97GA + H120D + P131H + 2 Y263H + S265R Q137E A232T + Q236C 2S9R + A15T + G97GV + P131T + Q137H 1 N62D + A232T + Q236C 2 S9R + A15T +G20* + L21F + N62D + Q245N 2 A232P + Q236L + Q245E 2 S9L + A15T +T22TV + V139L + Q245F 2 A232S + Q236L + Q245T + K251E 2 S132G + Q245F 1S163C + Q236M + Q245T + S256G 2 S9R + A15T + T22TG + N62D + V139L +Q245V 1 N218D + A232L + Q236F + Q245F 2 S9L + A15T + T22TV + V139L +Q245F + L262S 2 S163N + A232L + Q236S + Q245E 2 S9R + A15T + T22TL +N62D + Q245W 2 A232S + Q236S + Q245E 2 V68A + A158L + Y214C 2 V68A +V203L 2 N62D + V150I 2 V68S + A158D 2 S3T + P14Q + A15M + R19K + N62D +S144D 2 I8V + A15T + R19K + A85T + S99SD + 2 P14Q + R19W + V51I + G61E +S99SD + 2 A114V + V244I + S256N + Y263H V139I + T260R L111F + Y263H 2S3T + P14L + H17R + S99SD + V139I + S144D 2 P52V + S78T + S99SD 2 S3A +V30I + S99SD + S106G + N248S 2 A15M + S99SD + V268I 2 I8V + A15T + S99SD2 S99G + S128N + N183D + A232L + 1 S3T + S9R + P14H + A15M + R19L +S99SD + 2 Q236T + Q245R V139I S99R + S101SA 1 S9R + A15T + G97GG +H120D + Q137E 2 L96LA + A98T + P131AA 2 S9R + A15T + G20A + G97GV +H120D + P131H 2 A98E + S99P 2 S163N + A232L + Q236A + Q245G 2 V28I +S99AD + P131F 2 N173D + A232L + Q236A + Q245N 2 S9R + A15T + G97GV +Q137H 1 P55S + V68A + S106M + A108T + P129T 2 V81A + P131T + A133S +Q137E 1 K27R + V68L + G118D + A158E 1 N43D + V68A + S106F + N238D 2A98E + S99A + S101SK 2 V68A + V203F 2 V68A + N140D + T143A + S144N 2V68A + S106E 2 N62D + N140K + T143A + S144D 2 V68A + S106I 2 S9F +P14T + R19L + A98AD 2 V68A + A158M + R170C 1 S9V + P14R + R19F + A98AD 2V68A + P129T + N218D 2 S99A + S99SD + G258K + L262Q 2 V68S + P129E 2S87C + S99SA + S99D + P131A 2 V68S + P129D 2 S99A + S99SD + G258K +L262Q 2 V68L + P129E + N261D 2 V28I + S99A + *99aD + P131F 1 G97GV +H120D 2 A85T + G102D + S106T + K237R 2 P131A + A133ASA 2 V68A + T71A 2L111F + Y263H 2 G61GS 2 V11A + G61GE + V227A + S240F 2 G100L 2 A133E +S144K + N218D 2 A133D 2 S128A + P129S + S130SP 2 V68A 2 G61GE 2 N123D 2

TABLE V Wash performance test results, Assay B. Mutations Score S9R +A15T + T22TW + N204D + Q245I 2 S9R + A15T + G97GG + P131S + Q137H 2S9R + A15T + T22TG + N62D + V139L + Q245G 2 S9R + A15T + T22TL + N62D +I107V + V139L + Q245W 2 S9G + A15T + G97GA + Q137H 1 S9R + A15T + V68A +Q245R 2 S9R + A15T + G97GA + H120N + S212L 2 S9R + A15T + L96LG +H120D + P131H + R186L 2 S9R + A15T + G97GA + H120D + Q137D 2 S9R +A15T + A16P + G97GA + P131S + Q137D + N204S 2 S9R + A15T + L21LP +T22TV + M119I + N218D + Q245I 2 S9R + A15T + G97GV + H120D + Q137H 1S9R + A15T + L96LG + H120N + P131H + Q137E 2 S9R + A15T + L96LG +H120D + P131S + Q137E 2 S9R + A15T + H120N + P131T + N218D 2 V4A + S9R +A15T + G97GV + H120D 1 S9R + A15T + L96LG + H120D + G160D 2 S9R + A15T +T22TG + N62D + V139L + Q245S 2 S9R + A15T + G61E + A85T + P239L + Q245C2 S9R + A15T + P131H + S144P 2 S9R + A15T + G97GA + Q137E 2 S9R + A15T +G97GA + H120Q + P131H + Q137E 2 S9R + A15T + L21LW + G100S + V139L +Q245V 1 S9R + A15T + G97GA + Q137H + N218S 2 S9R + A15T + L96LG +H120N + P131S + Q137H 2 S9R + A15T + G97GA + H120N + Q137E 2 S9R +A15T + L96LG + P131T + Q137H 2 S9R + A15T + L96LG + H120N + P131S 2S9R + A15T + V68A + Q137D 1 S9R + A15T + G97GA + H120Y + Q137H 2 S9R +A15T + G97GA + Q137D 2 S9R + A15T + K94N + H120N + P131H 1 S9R + A15T +L96LG + P131H + Q137D 2 S9R + A15T + F50S + H120D + P131H 2 S9R + A15T +G97GA + H120N + Q137D + N248D 2 S9R + A15T + L96LG + P131Q + Q137D 2S9R + A15T + T22G + V139L + Q245L 2 V139L + Q245R 2 S9R + A15T + Q245F 2S9R + A15T + Q245S 2 S9R + A15T + G97GV + H120Q 1 S9R + A15T + G97GA +Q137E + L262V 1 S9R + A15T + G127E + P131R + Q137H 2 S9R + A13V + A15T +I35V + N62D + Q245F 2 S9R + A15T + Q245V 2 V139L + Q245F 2 S9R + A15T +T22A + V139L + Q245E 2 S9R + A15T + T22L + V139L + Q245V + A254S 2 S9R +R19L + A98AD 2 P14R + A98AD 2 S9R + A15T + Q245L 2 S9R + A15T + G61E +A85T + P239S + Q245V 2 S9R + A15T + G61E + A85T + Q206L + Q245R 2P239T + Q245R 2 S9R + A15T + N62NG + Q245T 2 S9R + A15T + G61GP + Q245L2 S9R + A15T + G61E + A85T + Q137H + Y209C + Q245G 2 S9R + A15T + G61E +A85T + P239S + Q245C 2 V68I + A98AD 2 V68A + N269K 1 N62D + Q245A +N252G + S265G 2 N218D + Q245G + N252H 2 S9R + A15T + G102S + M175T +Q245R + N252D 2 S9R + A15T + N62D + Q245W + N252V 2 S9R + A15T + N62D +Q245R + N252M 2 S9R + A15T + N62D + Q245W + N252S 2 S99SD + N204S +Q245R 1 N62D + Q245R 2 N62D + A151G 1 V68A + S106T 2 S99A + S99SD +V203L 2 A98AD + A215T 2 N62D + Q245G + N252T 2 A152P + Q245R + N252T 2S163N + T213A + Q245R 2 S106L + Q245R + N252E 2 Q245W + N252Y 2 Q245W +N252V 2 R45H + Y171C + Q245W + N252S 2 G20R + A48T + R170C + Q245W +N252Q 2 N62D + N252T 2 N218D + Q245W + N252E 2 G20R + R170C + Q245R +N252V 2 S9R + P14I + R19K + A98AD + T274S 2 A98AE + V203I 2 V51A +V68A + S163G + V203A 2 N62D + Q245W + N252H 2 N62D + Q245W + N252A 2G20R + N62D + V244I + Q245W + N252E 2 N204D + Q245S 2 N62D + Q245W +N252E 2 N62D + Q245R + N252V 2 S9R + A15T + S24P + G61E + A85T + P239S +Q245A 2 G102S + M222S + Q245L + N252D 2 A15M + V30I + N62D + S99N +L111I + V244A + S265N 2 V68A + S106A + G118D + Q245R + T255S + L257G +T274L 2 S3T + Q12D + R19W + V30I + S106G + I107M 2 V68A + A88T + V139L 2V51I + L111I + G118D + Q245R 2 V68A + V203L 1 A1T + V68A + N116D + G118D1 V68A + G118D + Q245R 2 N62D + V139I + N183D + N185S + V203I + Q245R +L262S 2 N62D + I72V 1 N62D + V81A + Q245R 1 T22A + V68A + S106T + G118D1 V68A + L111I + V203I 1 G61E + V68A + A169G 1 V68A + L111V 1 V68A +G118D + V203A + K251R 1 V68A + G118D 1 A1V + V51A + V68A + V203I 2V68A + V139L + A223G 1 N62D + Y214H + K237R 1 V68A + S106A + G118D +Q245R 2 S9R + A15T + T22A + N62D 2 A98Q + S99D 1 S9R + P14I + R19K +A98AD 2 S9R + A15M + A16P + T22S + S99AD 1 S99AD + T255R + S256N 2 S9R +A15T + T22TQ + S101P 1 S9R + A15T + H120R + Q137D + N173S 2 G97E 1 Q245W2 S9R + A15T + L96LG + Q137E + Y209H 2 S9R + A15T + L111V + Q137E +G211D 1 S9R + A15T + L111I + Q137E 2 S9R + A15T + L111I + H120N + Q137E2 S9R + A15T + L96LG + H120Q + Q137E 1 S9R + A15T + T260M 2 S9R + A15T 2Q245I 2 S9R + A15T + H120G + Q137E + N218D 2 S9R + A15T + S130P 2 Q245F2 S9R + A15T + N218D 2 G63E + N76D + A194P + A230V 2 S9R + A15T + T224A2 G100S 2 S9R + A15T + D60DG 1 A138V + V139I + A194P + N218D + A230V 2A108V + A169G + R170A + Y171H 1 I8V + P14L + R19L + V30I + I35V + S57P +P129S + Q137D + 2 S144D + S256N A133D + T134S + Q137A 1 Q137D 2 A98AH 1V51D 2 Q12E + P14L + A15T 2 G63E + N76D + A194P + A230V 2 Q12E + P14L +A15T 2 G97GS 1 M222S + Q245G + N252G 1 V68I + V203L 2 V51A + S163T 2S106A + A138G 2 V139I + A151G 2 S9R + A15T + S99C + H120N + P131S +Q137H + M222S 2 S9R + A15T + S99G + G100S + H120N + P131S + Q137H 2A15T + N185D + M222S + Q245R + N252V 2 S9R + A15T + T22TL + G61E +L96LG + Q137D + Q245R 2 S9R + T22TL + G61E + G97GG + M119I + P131T 2Y209H + M222S + Q245G + N252L 2 M222S + Q245M + N252E 2 S9R + A15T +N62D + H120N + P131T 2 S9R + A15T + V68A + N218D + Q245R 2 S9R + A15T +V68A + H120N + N218D + Q245R 1 S9R + A15T + V68A + A174V + Q245R 2 S9R +A15T + G46D + V68A + N218D + Q245R 2 G97D + A98N + S128G + S130T +P131D + T134A 2 S9R + A15T + V68A + A98M + Q245R + N248D 2 S9R + A15T +V68A + A98L + S99G + Q245R 2 S9R + A15T + A98G + S99C + H120N + P131S +Q137H 2 S9R + A15T + T38S + A98R + S99C + G100S + H120N + 2 P131S +Q137H A98V + S99C + Q245R 1 S9R + A15T + A98S + G100S + H120N + 1P131S + Q137H S9R + A15T + G20* + L21F + N62D + Q245R 2 S9R + A15T +G20* + L21F + N62D + Q245R + S259G 2 A98S + G100S + Q245R 2 A98L +S99C + Q245R 2 S9R + A15T + G20* + L21F + N62E + Q245R 2 S9R + A15T +G20* + L21F + P52T + N62D + Q245R 2 S9R + A15T + V68A + S99G + Q245R +N261D 2 N62D + P131F + A172V 2 N62D + P131F 2 S99SD + Q245R 2 S9R +A13T + S99A + S99SD + P131F 2 S9R + A15T + N62S + H120N + P131T + N218D2 A98R + G100C + Q245R 2 A98G + S99C + Q245R 2 A98T + S99G + G100S +S240F + Q245R 2 S9R + A15T + H120N + P131T + N218D + N269T 2 S9R +A15T + G61E + H120S + Q137D + V139L + N218D 2 S9R + A15T + L96LG +H120N + P131S + Q137H + M222S 1 S9R + A15T + G61E + A98S + S99M + Q245R2 A98G + G100S + Q245R + N261D 2 S9R + A15T + V68A + A98L + Q245R 1S9R + A15T + V68A + A98G + S99V + Q245R 1 S9R + A15T + V68A + A98M +S99G + Q245R + T274A 2 S9R + A15T + G61E + V68A + A98S + S99G + Q245R 2S9R + A15T + A88V + A98R + S99G + G100C + H120N + 1 P131S + Q137H S9R +A15T + A98C + G100S + H120N + P131S + Q137H 1 S9R + A15T + G20* + L21F +G61E + *61aP + Q245R 1 S9R + A15T + V68A + A98G + S99I + K237R + Q245RS9R + A15T + V68A + H120N + P131S + Q137H + Q245R 2 A98S + S99G +G100S + Q245R 2 S9R + A15T + V68A + H120D + P131S + Q137H + Q245R 2A98T + S99G + G100S + Q245R 2 S9R + A15T + A98S + S99G + G100S + H120N +2 P131S + Q137H V68A + S106A + Q245R + N252D 2 V68A + S106A + Q245W 2V68A + S106A + N252M + Y263C 1 V68A + S106A + Q245W + N252K 0 V68A +S106A + A174V + Q245R + N252D 1 S9R + A15T + V68A + Q245R + N252S 2S9R + A15T + V68A 2 S9R + A15T + G20* + L21F + *61aS + V68A + G160D +Q245R 2 S9R + A15T + Y167I + R170L 2 S9R + A15T + G20* + L21F + *63aG +Q245R + N272V 2 S9R + A15T + G20* + L21F + *61aA + V68A + Q245R 2 S9R +A15T + V68A + A194T + Q245R + N252E 2 S9R + A15T + G20* + L21F + *62aS +N218D + Q245R 2 V68A + S106A + T213A 2 S9R + A15T + V28I + V68A +Q245R + N252A 2 V68A + S105G + S106A 2 S9R + A15T + V68A + H120N +P131S + Q137H + Q245M 2

Assay C Commercial detergent base European powder type 2 Detergentdosage 4 g/l Test solution volume 160 micro l pH as it is in detergent(app. 10-10.5) Wash time 20 min. Temperature 30° C. Water hardness 6-9°dH Enzyme concentration in test solution 5 nM, 10 nM and 30 nM Testmaterial EMPA 116

The European powder type detergent was composed according to theprovisions in Detergent Example 2. Water hardness was adjusted to 15° dHby addition of CaCl₂*2H₂O; MgCl₂*6H₂O; NaHCO₃ (Ca²⁺:Mg²⁺:HCO³⁻=4:1:10)to the test system. After washing the textile pieces were flushed in tapwater and air-dried.

TABLE VI Wash performance test results, Assay C. Mutations Score Q12E +P14L + A15T 2 P14R + A98AD 2 G100S 2 A169G + R170H 1 A98AD + A169G 1A138V + V139I + A194P + N218D + A230V 2 S99A + S99SD + V203L 1 V68A +S106T 1 A98AD + A215T 2 A108V + A169G + R170A + Y171H 1 S3L + N62D +S163A + S190A 2 S9R + P14I + R19K + A98AD + T274S 2 S9R + A15T + G61E +A85T + N218D + P239S + Q245L 2 S9R + A15T + S24P + G61E + A85T + P239S +Q245A 2 S99SD + P131F 1 N62D + P131F + A172V 1 N62D + P131F 1 V68A +A88T + V139L 2 V68A + G118D + V203A 2 P40L + V68A + A108T + A138V +V203I 2 I8T + A98AD + T274R 2 A98AE + V203I 2 V51A + V68A + S163G +V203A 2 A1V + V51A + V68A + V203I 2 V68A + G100S 1 V68A + V203L 1 A1T +V68A + N116D + G118D 1 N62D + A169G + V203I + Q245R 1 G23S + S99SD +A194P + S242T + Q245R + T274R 1 S99SD + N204S + Q245R 2 N62D + Q245R 2V68A + S106A + G118D + Q245R 2 V51I + L111I + G118D + Q245R 2 N62D +V139I + N183D + N185S + V203I + Q245R + L262S 2 N62D + I72V 1 S9R +R19L + A98AD 2 S9G + P14R + R19I + A98AD 1 S9R + A15T + T22L + V139L +Q245V + A254S 2 S9R + A15T + T224A 2 S9R + A15T + Q245L 2 S9R + A15T +N62NG + Q245T 1 S9R + A15T + N62ND + V139L + Q245E 1 S9R + A15T +N62ND + V139L + N261D 2 Y167I + R170L + Q245E 1 Y167I + R170L + Q245R 2Y167I + R170L + Q245M 1 Y167I + R170L 1 S99SE + Q245R 2 S9R + A15T +G61E + A85T + Q137H + Y209C + Q245G 2 S9R + A15T + G61E + A85T + P239S +Q245C 1 G102S + M222S + Q245L + N252D 1 N62D + Q245A + N252G + S265G 1N62D + Q245G + N252T 1 S9R + A15T + N62D + Q245W + N252V 2 S9R + A15T +N62D + Q245R + N252M 2 S9R + A15T + N62D + Q245W + N252S 1 S163N +T213A + Q245R 2 S106L + Q245R + N252E 2 Q245W + N252Y 2 Q245W + N252V 1G20R + A48T + R170C + Q245W + N252Q 2 N62D + N252T 2 N218D + Q245W +N252E 2 G20R + R170C + Q245R + N252V 2 N62D + Q245W + N252H 2 N62D +Q245W + N252A 2 G20R + N62D + V244I + Q245W + N252E 2 N204D + Q245S 1N62D + Q245W + N252E 2 N62D + Q245R + N252V 2 A98L + S99C + Q245R 2N62D + A98R + Q245R 2 S9R + A15T + V68A + S99G + Q245R + N261D 2 S9R +A15T + G20* + L21F + N62D + Q245R 2 S9R + A15T + G20* + L21F + N62E +Q245R 2 V68I + A98AD 2

Assay D Commercial detergent base European powder type 1 Detergentdosage 6 g/l Test solution volume 160 micro l Ph as it is in detergent(app. 10-10.5) Wash time 20 min. Temperature 30° C. Water hardness 6-9°dH Enzyme concentration in test solution 5 nM, 10 nM and 30 nM Testmaterial C-10 swatches from Center for Testmaterials, Vlaardingen, NL

The European powder type detergent was composed according to theprovisions in Detergent Example 2 at page 24 herein. Water hardness wasadjusted to 15° dH by addition of CaCl₂*2H₂O; MgCl₂*6H₂O; NaHCO₃(Ca²⁺:Mg²⁺:HCO³⁻=4:1:10) to the test system. After washing the textilepieces were flushed in tap water and air-dried.

TABLE VII Wash performance test results, Assay D. Mutations Score G97GS1 S9V + P14R + R19F + A98AD 1 S9R + A15T + L111I + Q137E 1 S9R + A15T +G97GA + Q137E 2 S9R + A15T + L96LG + Q137E + Y209H 1 S9R + A15T +L96LG + H120N + P131S 2 S9R + A15T + G97GV + H120Q 2 S9R + A15T +L96LG + H120Q + Q137E 2 S9R + A15T + G97GV + P131S 2 S9R + A15T + K94N +H120N + P131H 1 S9R + A15T + N76S + L111V + P131H + Q137D 1 S9R + A15T +F50S + H120D + P131H 2 S9R + A15T + L96LG + S130* 2 S9R + A15T + L96LG +P131Q + Q137D 2 S9R + A15T + G97GA + H120D + Q137H + M222V 1 S9R +A15T + G97GA + H120N + Q137D + N248D 2 S9R + A15T + L21LW + G100S +V139L + Q245V 1 S9R + A15T + G20* + L21F + N62D + Q245N 2 S9R + A15T +L21LC + V139L + R186H + Q245M 1 S132G + Q245F 1 S9R + A15T + T22TG +N62D + V139L + Q245G 2 S9R + A15T + T22TL + N62D + I107V + V139L + Q245W2 S9R + A15T + T22TQ + S101P 2 S9R + A15T + T22TG + N62D + V139L + Q245V1 S9R + A15T + T22TL + N62D + Q245W 2 S9R + A15T + T22TW + N204D + Q245I2 S9R + A15T + T22TG + N62D + V139L + Q245S 2 S9R + A15T + L21LP +T22TY + V139L + G160D + Q245L 1 Q245W 2 S9R + A15T + S130P 2 S9R +A15T + G61E + A85T + P239L + Q245C 2 S9R + A15T + L21LP + T22TV +M119I + N218D + Q245I 2 S9R + A15T + V68A + Q245R 2 S9R + A15T + T22A +V139L + Q245E 2 V139L + Q245R 2 S9R + A15T + Q245F 2 S9R + A15T + Q245S2 S9R + A15T + T260M 2 S9R + A15T 2 S9R + A15T + L21LG + T22TV + V139L +N204D + Q245N 1 V139L + Q245F 2 S9R + A15T + T22G + V139L + Q245L 2S9R + A15T + Q245V 1 Q245F 2 S9R + Q245C 2 S9R + A15T + N218D 1 S9R +A13V + A15T + I35V + N62D + Q245F 2 S99G + S128N + N183D + A232L +Q236T + Q245R 2 S163N + A232L + Q236A + Q245G 2 S163C + Q236M + Q245T +S256G 1 N218D + A232L + Q236F + Q245F 1 S163N + A232L + Q236S + Q245E 2G97GA + H120E 1 G97GG + P131H 2 S9R + A15T + G97GA + H120D + P131H +Q137E 1 S9R + A15T + G97GV + Q137H 2 S9R + A15T + G97GV + H120N 2 S9R +A15T + G97GG + P131S + Q137H 2 S9R + A15T + G97GG + H120N + Q137D 2S9R + A15T + H120Q + P131C + Q137H 2 S9R + A15T + G97GV + H120D + Q137H2 S9R + A15T + A16P + G97GA + P131S + Q137D + N204S 2 S9R + A15T +G97GG + H120D + P131H + Q137H 1 S9R + A15T + G97GV + H120E + Q137H 2S9R + A15T + G97GV + P131T + Q137H 1 S9R + A15T + G97GV + H120Q + Y263F2 S9R + A15T + G97GV + S106A + P131H 1 S9R + A15T + G97GG + L111I +P131T + Q137H 1 S9R + A15T + G97GV + P131H + Q137H 2 S9R + A15T + G20A +G97GV + H120D + P131H 1 S9R + A15T + G97GA + H120D + P131S + Q137E 1S9G + A15T + G97GA + Q137H 1 S9R + A15T + H120R + Q137D + N173S 1 S9R +A15T + L96LG + H120N + P131H + Q137E 2 S9R + A15T + L96LG + H120D +P131S + Q137E 2 S9R + A15T + H120N + P131T + N218D 2 S9R + A15T +G97GA + H120D + Q137D 2 S9R + A15T + L96LG + H120D + P131H + R186L 2S9R + A15T + G97GA + R186C 2 V4A + S9R + A15T + G97GV + H120D 1 S9R +A15T + L96LG + H120D + G160D 2 S9R + A15T + G97GA + H120N + S212L 2S9R + A15T + G97GA + Q137H + N218S 2 S9R + A15T + H120D + Q137D 2 S9R +A15T + N77S + L96LG + H120D + P131Q 1 S9R + A15T + G97GA + H120N + Q137E1 S9R + A15T + G97GA + Q137E + L262V 2 S9R + A15T + P131H + S144P 2S9R + A15T + G127E + P131R + Q137H 2

1. A protease variant comprising: a) an insertion, substitution ordeletion of one of the amino acid residuesK,H,R,E,D,Q,N,C,V,L,I,P,M,F,W,Y,G,A,S,T in one or more of the positions62, 68, 97, 98, 99, 106, 131, 170, 245, 252, in combination with atleast one of the following modifications *0AQSVPWG; A1T,V; Q2L; S3T,A,L;V4L,A; I8V,T; S9G,D,R,K,L,V; R10H,K; V11A; Q12D; A13V;P14S,T,D,A,M,V,K,Q,L,H,R,I; A15M,T; A16P; H17R; N18S,H; R19W,K,L,F,G,I;G20*,R,A; L21F,LP,LW,LA,LG; T22S,A,K,TV,TG,TL,TW,TV,G,L,TY; G23S; S24P;K27R, V28I; V30I; I35T,V;T38S; P40L; N43D; R45H,K; G46D; A48T; S49N;F50S; V51A,I,D; P52V,A; P55S,A; S57P; G61E,D,S,R,GP;N62D,ND,NE,DE,NG,E,S; V68A,S,L,I; T71A; I72V; L75I; N76S,D; N77S; S78T;V81A; A85T; S87C; A88V,T; E89G; K94N; V95C,T; L96LA,LG;G97E,D,W,A,GG,GA,GV,N,GS; A98S,D,E,T,AS,AD,AV,AE,AH,Q,N,M,L,G,R,V,S;S99D,L,A,AD,SD,SM,SG,DA,P,G,N,C,M,V,I; G100S,GE,C; S101SA, SK; G102D,S;S103D,E,Y,L,Q,H,T; V104T,S,R,I,N,M,L,D; S106D,E,T,M,G,A,L,F,I;I107T,V,M; A108V,T,S; L111I,V; A114V; N116S,D; G118D; M119L,I,V,A,S;H120N,D,Q,K,E,Y,S; V121A; L124C; L126I; G127E; S128N,I,G,C;P129PSN,T,E,D,S,N,A; S130P,T,C,*; P131M,F,W,L,A,H,T,*,PA,S,Q,R,E,G,D,C;S132G,T; A133ASA; T134A; Q137H,E,D; A138G,V; V139L,I; N140D, K; T143A;S144D, N,P; R145G; V150I; A151V,G; A152P; A158T,V,C,E,L,D, M; G160A,D;S163G,C,N,A; Y167K,A,I; A168G; A169G; R170C,S,H,L; Y171C; A172V; N173D;A174V; M175L,I,V,A,S,T; N183D; N184D,S; N185S,D; R186L,C,H; S188G;S190A; Y192H; G195F,E; V203S,A,L,Q,M, F,I; N204T,D,S; Q206L; Y209C,H;G211D; S212N,L; T213A; Y214C,H; A215D,T; N218D,S; M222L,I,V,A,S; A223G;T224A,S; A228T; A230V; A232S,L,T,P; V234I; Q236A,L,D,T,C,M,F,S; K237R;N238D; P239T,S; S240F; S242T; V244I, M,A;Q245R,K,E,D,T,F,N,V,W,G,I,S,C,L,A,M; N248P,D,S; K251E,R;N252G,H,D,V,M,S,T,E,Y,S,Q,K,A,L; A254S; T255A,S; S256N,R,G; L257G;G258K, S259A,N,G; T260A,R; N261D; L262S, Q,V; Y263H,F; G264E; S265G,R,N;V268L,I; N269T; N296K; E271A; T274S,L,A,R, or b) one of the followingcombination variants A108T+L111V; L124I+S125A; P129S+S130AT;L96LA+A151G+V203A; S49N+V203L+N218D; S3T+A16P+R45C+G100S+A230V;I8V+R19K+V139I; N76D+A174AL+A194P+A230V; N185R; N62NE; H120Q+Q137E,G61GE, G61GS, G100L, A133D, V68A, N123D, L111F+Y263H,V11A+G61GE+V227A+S240F, A133E+S144K+N218D, S128A+P129S+S130SP,S9R+A15T+T22TQ+S101P, S9R+A15T+H120R+Q137D+N173S, G97E, Q245W,S9R+A15T+L96LG+Q137E+Y209H, S9R+A15T+L111V+Q137E+G211D,S9R+A15T+L111I+Q137E, S9R+A15T+L111I+H120N+Q137E,S9R+A15T+L96LG+H120Q+Q137E, S9R+A15T+T260M, S9R+A15T, Q245I,S9R+A15T+H120G+Q137E+N218D, S9R+A15T+S130P, Q245F, S9R+A15T+N218D,G63E+N76D+A194P+A230V, S9R+A15T+T224A, G100S, S9R+A15T+D60DG,A138V+V139I+A194P+N218D+A230V, A108V+A169G+R170A+Y171H,I8V+P14L+R19L+V30I+I35V+S57P+P129S+Q137D+S144D+S256N, A133D+T134S+Q137A,Q137D, A98AH, V51D, Q12E+P14L+A15T, G63E+N76D+A194P+A230V,Q12E+P14L+A15T, G97GS, V51A+S163T; V139I+A151G; S9R+A15T+L96LG+S130*;A169G+R170H or c) one or more modifications in position 68, wherein saidmodification(s) comprise(s): deletion, insertion and/or substitution ofan amino acid residue selected from the group consisting ofK,H,R,E,D,Q,N,C,V,L,I,P,M,F,W,Y,G,A,S and T.
 2. A protease variant ofclaim 1 comprising the combination of one or more of the modificationsX62D,E,S,XD,XE,XG,DE X68A,S,L,I X97E,D,W,A,N,XG,XA,XV,XSX98S,D,E,T,N,M,L,G,R,V,XS,XD,XV X99D,L,A,P,G,N,C,M,V,I,AD,XD,XM,XG,DAX106D,E,T,M,G,A,L,F,I X131M,F,W,L,A,H,T,*,S,Q,R,E,G,D,C,XA X170C,S,H,LX245R,K,E,D,T,F,N,V,W,G,I,S,C,L,A,M X252G,H,D,V,M,S,T,E,Y,S,Q,K,A,L withat least one of the following modifications *0AQSVPWG; A1T,V; Q2L;S3T,A,L; V4L,A; I8V,T; S9G,D,R,K,L,V; R10H,K; V11A; Q12D; A13V;P14S,T,D,A,M,V,K,Q,L,H,R,I; A15M,T; A16P; H17R; N18S,H; R19W,K,L,F,G,I;G20*,R,A; L21F,LP,LW,LA,LG; T22S,A,K,TV,TG,TL,TW,TV,G,L,TY; G23S; S24P;K27R, V28I; V30I; I35T,V;T38S; P40L; N43D; R45H,K; G46D; A48T; S49N;F50S; V51A,I,D; P52V,A; P55S,A; S57P; G61E,D,S,R,GP;N62D,ND,NE,DE,NG,E,S; V68A,S,L,I; T71A; I72V; L75I; N76S,D; N77S; S78T;V81A; A85T; S87C; A88V,T; E89G; K94N; V95C,T; L96LA,LG;G97E,D,W,A,GG,GA,GV,N,GS; A98S,D,E,T,AS,AD,AV,AE,AH,Q,N,M,L,G,R,V,S;S99D,L,A,AD,SD,SM,SG,DA,P,G,N,C,M,V,I; G100S,GE,C; S101SA, SK; G102D,S;S103D,E,Y,L,Q,H,T; V104T,S,R,I,N,M,L,D; S106D,E,T,M,G,A,L,F,I;I107T,V,M; A108V,T,S; L111I,V; A114V; N116S,D; G118D; M119L,I,V,A,S;H120N,D,Q,K,E,Y,S; V121A; L124C; L126I; G127E; S128N,I,G,C;P129PSN,T,E,D,S,N,A; S130P,T,C,*; P131M,F,W,L,A,H,T,*,PA,S,Q,R,E,G,D,C;S132G,T; A133ASA; T134A; Q137H,E,D; A138G,V; V139L,I; N140D, K; T143A;S144D, N,P; R145G; V150I; A151V,G; A152P; A158T,V,C,E,L,D, M; G160A,D;S163G,C,N,A; Y167K,A,I; A168G; A169G; R170C,S,H,L; Y171C; A172V; N173D;A174V; M175L,I,V,A,S,T; N183D; N184D,S; N185S,D; R186L,C,H; S188G;S190A; Y192H; G195F,E; V203S,A,L,Q,M, F,I; N204T,D,S; Q206L; Y209C,H;G211D; S212N,L; T213A; Y214C,H; A215D,T; N218D,S; M222L,I,V,A,S; A223G;T224A,S; A228T; A230V; A232S,L,T,P; V234I; Q236A,L,D,T,C,M,F,S; K237R;N238D; P239T,S; S240F; S242T; V244I, M,A;Q245R,K,E,D,T,F,N,V,W,G,I,S,C,L,A,M; N248P,D,S; K251E,R;N252G,H,D,V,M,S,T,E,Y,S,Q,K,A,L; A254S; T255A,S; S256N,R,G; L257G;G258K, S259A,N,G; T260A,R; N261D; L262S, Q,V; Y263H,F; G264E; S265G,R,N;V268L,I; N269T; N296K; E271A; T274S,L,A,R.
 3. The protease variant ofclaim 1, comprising one or more of the following alterations: G97E +A98S V28I + A98AD + T224S G97D + A98D S99AD + M175V + P131F V95C +G97W + A98E S99AD + P131L V95T + G97A + A98D S9R + S99AD + P131W S103Y +V104M + S106D V68A + N116S + V139L + Q245R V104T + S106D S3T + A16P +R45C + G100S + A230V S3T + A16P + S99SD + S144D + A158T + I8V + S9R +A15T + R19W + V30I + G61D + A230V + T260R S99SD + S256N S103D + V104T +S106T V30I + S99SD + S256R S103D + V104L + S106M G61S + S99SD + V244IS103D + V104T + S106G V68A + V139L + S163G + N185S S103D + V104S + S106AS99SD + Y263H S103H + V104N + S106D V104N + S106T S103E + V104I + S106TS99SG + S144D S103Q + V104T + S106E V30I + S99SD S103E + S106T N18H +S99SD S103E + V104R + S106A S9R + T22S + S99SD + K251E A108T + L111VA48T + V68A + P131M L124I + S125A A15M + S99SM + V139I + V244I L124C +P131* P14T + A15M + S99SD P129S + S130AT I8V + S99SD + S144D + A228TL96LA + A151G + V203A I8V + R19K + V139I S99SD + A108V + V139L I35T +N62D S99SD + S190A N62D + S265G S99SD + V203A Q2L + N62D S99SD + V139IN62D + N76D S99SD + A108V R45H + G61E + V68A S99SD + S106A + A151GN62D + V121A V68A + S106A N62D + A215D V68A + N185D + V203S N62D + N238DV68A + V139L N62D + R145G V68A + V139I V4L + N62D + E89G V68A + A158VN62D + S188G + K251R V68A + V203A S49N + N62D V68A + V203S N62NE V68A +V203L + S259A V11A + N62DE V68A + S106L N62ND + N184S + S256G V30I +V68A + V203S N18S + N62D + I107T + A254S V51A + V68A + S106T + A168GS57P + N62ND V51A + V68A + S106T + A168G N62NE + V234I V68A + N76S +V203M + P239T Q137H + R170C + G195E V68A + V203L S99A + S101SA V68A +L75I + V203Q R10K + P14A + R19K + A98AS + S128N V68A + T71A + V139LT22A + R45K + A98AS + S128N Y192H + V68A A98AV + S99D + Y167K V68A +S106A + A108T S9G + P14K + Y167A + R170S V68A + S106T + A108T S9D +P14T + Y167A + R170S V68S + A108S S9R + P14M + A98AD V68A + N76S + G211DS9R + R19L + A98AD + E271A V68A + S106T + A108T S9R + P14S + R19F +A98AD A151V + R170C S99DA + P129PSN + P131A P14D + A98AS + H120D +G195F + S99AD + V244M + Q245K + N248D + S212N + M222S K251R + T255A +S256N S49N + V203L + N218D S9R + P14V + R19G + A98AD V68A + S106M +N184D S99AD + N248P + T255A + S256G P55S + V68L + A158E + G160A*0AQSVPWG + A98AD V68A + A158C T22A + S99AD V68A + A158L + Y214C K94N +A98T + S99L A88V + S99AD + P131F N76D + A174AL + A194P + A230V P14T +A16P + I72V + S99SD + V244I + T260A P40L + N218D + A232S + Q236L +Q245E + S259N S99AD + P131F A232L + Q236D + Q245E R10H + N62D A232T +Q236L + Q245D V28I + A98AD + T224S R170H + Q236A + Q245R S9K + T22K +S99AD A232L + Q236T + Q245D P14S + S99AD + P131W G97GG + P131H + Q137E +V268L V68A + I72V + P131F A88V + G97GV + P131H S9R + S99AD G97GA +H120Q + S130P + G264E S9K + S99AD G97GG + V139L V28I + A88V + G100S +P131M G97GG + Q137D S103L + V104S + S106G G97GG + H120D + Q137H V68A +T224A N185R V68A + P131F P131H + Q137E A48T + V68A + P131M V104I +H120N + P131H + Q137E V68A + I72V + P131F H120Q + Q137E G100GE + P131FS9R + A15T + G97GV + H120D S99AD + P131F + T260A G100S + H120Q + Q137HR19G + A98AS V68A + H120K + Q137E G61R + N62D G97GA + H120E V68A +S106M + N184D H120D + S128I + Q137D P55S + V68L + A158E + G160A G97GG +P131H V68A + A158C G97GG + H120N + L126I R19W + G61S + S99SD + N204T +Y263H + S9R + A15T + G97GA + H120D + P131H + S265R Q137E A232T + Q236CS9R + A15T + G97GV + P131T + Q137H N62D + A232T + Q236C S9R + A15T +G20* + L21F + N62D + Q245N A232P + Q236L + Q245E S9L + A15T + T22TV +V139L + Q245F A232S + Q236L + Q245T + K251E S132G + Q245F S163C +Q236M + Q245T + S256G S9R + A15T + T22TG + N62D + V139L + Q245V N218D +A232L + Q236F + Q245F S9L + A15T + T22TV + V139L + Q245F + L262S S163N +A232L + Q236S + Q245E S9R + A15T + T22TL + N62D + Q245W A232S + Q236S +Q245E V68A + A158L + Y214C V68A + V203L N62D + V150I V68S + A158D S3T +P14Q + A15M + R19K + N62D + S144D I8V + A15T + R19K + A85T + S99SD +A114V + P14Q + R19W + V51I + G61E + S99SD + V244I + S256N + Y263HV139I + T260R L111F + Y263H S3T + P14L + H17R + S99SD + V139I + S144DP52V + S78T + S99SD S3A + V30I + S99SD + S106G + N248S A15M + S99SD +V268I I8V + A15T + S99SD S99G + S128N + N183D + A232L + Q236T + S3T +S9R + P14H + A15M + R19L + S99SD + Q245R V139I S99R + S101SA S9R +A15T + G97GG + H120D + Q137E L96LA + A98T + P131AA S9R + A15T + G20A +G97GV + H120D + P131H A98E + S99P S163N + A232L + Q236A + Q245G V28I +S99AD + P131F N173D + A232L + Q236A + Q245N S9R + A15T + G97GV + Q137HP55S + V68A + S106M + A108T + P129T V81A + P131T + A133S + Q137E K27R +V68L + G118D + A158E N43D + V68A + S106F + N238D A98E + S99A + S101SKV68A + V203F V68A + N140D + T143A + S144N V68A + S106E N62D + N140K +T143A + S144D V68A + S106I S9F + P14T + R19L + A98AD V68A + A158M +R170C S9V + P14R + R19F + A98AD V68A + P129T + N218D S99A + S99SD +G258K + L262Q V68S + P129E S87C + S99SA + S99D + P131A V68S + P129DS99A + S99SD + G258K + L262Q V68L + P129E + N261D V28I + S99A + *99aD +P131F G97GV + H120D A85T + G102D + S106T + K237R P131A + A133ASA V68A +T71A L111F + Y263H G61GS V11A + G61GE + V227A + S240F G100L A133E +S144K + N218D A133D S128A + P129S + S130SP V68A G61GE N123D S9R + A15T +T22TW + N204D + Q245I Q245W + N252V S9R + A15T + G97GG + P131S + Q137HR45H + Y171C + Q245W + N252S S9R + A15T + T22TG + N62D + V139L + Q245GG20R + A48T + R170C + Q245W + N252Q S9R + A15T + T22TL + N62D + I107V +V139L + S9R + A15T + A16P + G97GA + P131S + Q137D + Q245W N204S S9G +A15T + G97GA + Q137H N218D + Q245W + N252E S9R + A15T + V68A + Q245RG20R + R170C + Q245R + N252V S9R + A15T + G97GA + H120N + S212L S9R +P14I + R19K + A98AD + T274S S9R + A15T + L96LG + H120D + P131H + R186LA98AE + V203I S9R + A15T + G97GA + H120D + Q137D V51A + V68A + S163G +V203A N62D + N252T N62D + Q245W + N252H V4A + S9R + A15T + G97GV + H120DN62D + Q245W + N252A S9R + A15T + G97GV + H120D + Q137H G20R + N62D +V244I + Q245W + N252E S9R + A15T + L96LG + H120N + P131H + Q137E N204D +Q245S S9R + A15T + L96LG + H120D + P131S + Q137E N62D + Q245W + N252ES9R + A15T + H120N + P131T + N218D N62D + Q245R + N252V S9R + A15T +L21LP + T22TV + M119I + N218D + S9R + A15T + S24P + G61E + A85T +P239S + Q245I Q245A S9R + A15T + L96LG + H120D + G160D G102S + M222S +Q245L + N252D V68A + S106A + G118D + Q245R + T255S + A15M + V30I +N62D + S99N + L111I + V244A + L257G + T274L S265N S9R + A15T + G61E +A85T + P239L + Q245C S9R + A15T + T22TG + N62D + V139L + Q245S S9R +A15T + P131H + S144P S3T + Q12D + R19W + V30I + S106G + I107M S9R +A15T + G97GA + Q137E V68A + A88T + V139L S9R + A15T + G97GA + H120Q +P131H + Q137E V51I + L111I + G118D + Q245R S9R + A15T + L21LW + G100S +V139L + Q245V V68A + V203L S9R + A15T + G97GA + Q137H + N218S A1T +V68A + N116D + G118D S9R + A15T + L96LG + H120N + P131S + Q137H V68A +G118D + Q245R S9R + A15T + G97GA + H120N + Q137E N62D + V139I + N183D +N185S + V203I + Q245R + L262S S9R + A15T + L96LG + P131T + Q137H N62D +I72V S9R + A15T + L96LG + H120N + P131S N62D + V81A + Q245R S9R + A15T +V68A + Q137D T22A + V68A + S106T + G118D S9R + A15T + G97GA + H120Y +Q137H V68A + L111I + V203I S9R + A15T + G97GA + Q137D G61E + V68A +A169G S9R + A15T + K94N + H120N + P131H V68A + L111V S9R + A15T +L96LG + P131H + Q137D V68A + G118D + V203A + K251R S9R + A15T + F50S +H120D + P131H V68A + G118D S9R + A15T + G97GA + H120N + Q137D + N248DA1V + V51A + V68A + V203I S9R + A15T + L96LG + P131Q + Q137D V68A +V139L + A223G S9R + A15T + T22G + V139L + Q245L N62D + Y214H + K237RV139L + Q245R V68A + S106A + G118D + Q245R S9R + A15T + Q245F S9R +A15T + T22A + N62D S9R + A15T + Q245S A98Q + S99D S9R + A15T + G97GV +H120Q S9R + P14I + R19K + A98AD S9R + A15T + G97GA + Q137E + L262V S9R +A15M + A16P + T22S + S99AD S9R + A15T + G127E + P131R + Q137H S99AD +T255R + S256N S9R + A13V + A15T + I35V + N62D + Q245F S9R + A15T +T22TQ + S101P S9R + A15T + Q245V S9R + A15T + H120R + Q137D + N173SV139L + Q245F G97E S9R + A15T + T22A + V139L + Q245E Q245W S9R + A15T +T22L + V139L + Q245V + A254S S9R + A15T + L96LG + Q137E + Y209H S9R +R19L + A98AD S9R + A15T + L111V + Q137E + G211D P14R + A98AD S9R +A15T + L111I + Q137E S9R + A15T + Q245L S9R + A15T + L111I + H120N +Q137E S9R + A15T + G61E + A85T + P239S + Q245V S9R + A15T + L96LG +H120Q + Q137E S9R + A15T + G61E + A85T + Q206L + Q245R S9R + A15T +T260M P239T + Q245R S9R + A15T S9R + A15T + N62NG + Q245T Q245I S9R +A15T + G61GP + Q245L S9R + A15T + H120G + Q137E + N218D S9R + A15T +G61E + A85T + Q137H + Y209C + I8V + P14L + R19L + V30I + I35V + S57P +Q245G P129S + Q137D + S144D + S256N S9R + A15T + G61E + A85T + P239S +Q245C Q245F V68I + A98AD S9R + A15T + N218D V68A + N269K G63E + N76D +A194P + A230V N62D + Q245A + N252G + S265G S9R + A15T + T224A N218D +Q245G + N252H G100S S9R + A15T + G102S + M175T + Q245R + N252D S9R +A15T + D60DG S9R + A15T + N62D + Q245W + N252V A138V + V139I + A194P +N218D + A230V S9R + A15T + N62D + Q245R + N252M A108V + A169G + R170A +Y171H S9R + A15T + N62D + Q245W + N252S S9R + A15T + S130P S99SD +N204S + Q245R A133D + T134S + Q137A N62D + Q245R Q137D N62D + A151GA98AH V68A + S106T V51D S99A + S99SD + V203L Q12E + P14L + A15T A98AD +A215T G63E + N76D + A194P + A230V N62D + Q245G + N252T Q12E + P14L +A15T A152P + Q245R + N252T G97GS S163N + T213A + Q245R Q245W + N252YS106L + Q245R + N252E A169G + R170H S9V + P14R + R19F + A98AD Q12E +P14L + A15T S9R + A15T + L111I + Q137E P14R + A98AD S9R + A15T + G97GA +Q137E G100S S9R + A15T + L96LG + Q137E + Y209H A169G + R170H S9R +A15T + L96LG + H120N + P131S A98AD + A169G S9R + A15T + G97GV + H120QA138V + V139I + A194P + N218D + A230V S9R + A15T + L96LG + H120Q + Q137ES99A + S99SD + V203L S9R + A15T + G97GV + P131S V68A + S106T S9R +A15T + K94N + H120N + P131H A98AD + A215T S9R + A15T + N76S + L111V +P131H + Q137D A108V + A169G + R170A + Y171H S9R + A15T + F50S + H120D +P131H S3L + N62D + S163A + S190A S9R + A15T + L96LG + S130* S9R + P14I +R19K + A98AD + T274S S9R + A15T + T22TL + N62D + I107V + V139L + S9R +A15T + G61E + A85T + N218D + P239S + Q245W Q245L S9R + A15T + G97GA +H120D + Q137H + S9R + A15T + S24P + G61E + A85T + P239S + M222V Q245AS9R + A15T + G97GA + H120N + Q137D + N248D S99SD + P131F S9R + A15T +L21LW + G100S + V139L + Q245V N62D + P131F + A172V S9R + A15T + G20* +L21F + N62D + Q245N N62D + P131F S9R + A15T + L21LC + V139L + R186H +Q245M V68A + A88T + V139L S132G + Q245F V68A + G118D + V203A S9R +A15T + T22TG + N62D + V139L + Q245G P40L + V68A + A108T + A138V + V203IS9R + A15T + L96LG + P131Q + Q137D I8T + A98AD + T274R S9R + A15T +T22TQ + S101P A98AE + V203I S9R + A15T + T22TG + N62D + V139L + Q245VV51A + V68A + S163G + V203A S9R + A15T + T22TL + N62D + Q245W A1V +V51A + V68A + V203I S9R + A15T + T22TW + N204D + Q245I V68A + G100SS9R + A15T + T22TG + N62D + V139L + Q245S V68A + V203L S9R + A15T +S130P A1T + V68A + N116D + G118D Q245W N62D + A169G + V203I + Q245RS9R + A15T + L21LP + T22TY + V139L + G160D + G23S + S99SD + A194P +S242T + Q245R + Q245L T274R S9R + A15T + G61E + A85T + P239L + Q245CS99SD + N204S + Q245R S9R + A15T + L21LP + T22TV + M119I + N218D +N62D + V139I + N183D + N185S + V203I + Q245I Q245R + L262S S9R + A15T +V68A + Q245R V68A + S106A + G118D + Q245R S9R + A15T + T22A + V139L +Q245E V51I + L111I + G118D + Q245R V139L + Q245R N62D + Q245R S9R +A15T + Q245F N62D + I72V S9R + A15T + Q245S S9R + R19L + A98AD S9R +A15T + T260M S9G + P14R + R19I + A98AD S9R + A15T S9R + A15T + T22L +V139L + Q245V + A254S S9R + A15T + L21LG + T22TV + V139L + N204D +S99G + S128N + N183D + A232L + Q236T + Q245N Q245R V139L + Q245F S9R +A15T + Q245L S9R + A15T + T22G + V139L + Q245L S9R + A15T + N62NG +Q245T S9R + A15T + Q245V S9R + A15T + N62ND + V139L + Q245E Q245F S9R +A15T + N62ND + V139L + N261D S9R + Q245C Y167I + R170L + Q245E S9R +A15T + N218D Y167I + R170L + Q245R S9R + A13V + A15T + I35V + N62D +Q245F Y167I + R170L + Q245M S9R + A15T + T224A Y167I + R170L S163N +A232L + Q236A + Q245G S99SE + Q245R S9R + A15T + A16P + G97GA + P131S +Q137D + S9R + A15T + G61E + A85T + Q137H + Y209C + N204S Q245G N218D +A232L + Q236F + Q245F S9R + A15T + G61E + A85T + P239S + Q245C S163N +A232L + Q236S + Q245E G102S + M222S + Q245L + N252D G97GA + H120E N62D +Q245A + N252G + S265G G97GG + P131H N62D + Q245G + N252T S9R + A15T +G97GA + H120D + P131H + Q137E S9R + A15T + N62D + Q245W + N252V S9R +A15T + G97GV + Q137H S9R + A15T + N62D + Q245R + N252M S9R + A15T +G97GV + H120N S9R + A15T + N62D + Q245W + N252S S9R + A15T + G97GG +P131S + Q137H S163N + T213A + Q245R S9R + A15T + G97GG + H120N + Q137DS106L + Q245R + N252E S9R + A15T + H120Q + P131C + Q137H Q245W + N252YS9R + A15T + G97GV + H120D + Q137H Q245W + N252V S163C + Q236M + Q245T +S256G G20R + A48T + R170C + Q245W + N252Q S9R + A15T + G97GG + H120D +P131H + N62D + N252T Q137H S9R + A15T + G97GV + H120E + Q137H N218D +Q245W + N252E S9R + A15T + G97GV + P131T + Q137H G20R + R170C + Q245R +N252V S9R + A15T + G97GV + H120Q + Y263F N62D + Q245W + N252H S9R +A15T + G97GV + S106A + P131H N62D + Q245W + N252A S9R + A15T + G97GG +L111I + P131T + Q137H G20R + N62D + V244I + Q245W + N252E S9R + A15T +G97GV + P131H + Q137H N204D + Q245S S9R + A15T + G20A + G97GV + H120D +P131H N62D + Q245W + N252E S9R + A15T + G97GA + H120D + P131S + Q137EN62D + Q245R + N252V S9G + A15T + G97GA + Q137H A98L + S99C + Q245RS9R + A15T + H120R + Q137D + N173S N62D + A98R + Q245R S9R + A15T +L96LG + H120N + P131H + Q137E S9R + A15T + V68A + S99G + Q245R + N261DS9R + A15T + L96LG + H120D + P131S + Q137E S9R + A15T + G20* + L21F +N62D + Q245R S9R + A15T + H120N + P131T + N218D S9R + A15T + G20* +L21F + N62E + Q245R S9R + A15T + G97GA + H120D + Q137D V68I + A98ADS9R + A15T + L96LG + H120D + P131H + R186L S9R + A15T + H120D + Q137DS9R + A15T + G97GA + R186C S9R + A15T + N77S + L96LG + H120D + P131QV4A + S9R + A15T + G97GV + H120D S9R + A15T + G97GA + H120N + Q137ES9R + A15T + L96LG + H120D + G160D S9R + A15T + G97GA + Q137E + L262VS9R + A15T + G97GA + H120N + S212L S9R + A15T + P131H + S144P S9R +A15T + G97GA + Q137H + N218S S9R + A15T + G127E + P131R + Q137H M222S +Q245G + N252G S9R + A15T + V68A + S99G + Q245R + N261D V68I + V203LN62D + P131F + A172V V51A + S163T N62D + P131F S106A + A138G S99SD +Q245R V139I + A151G S9R + A13T + S99A + S99SD + P131F A98R + G100C +Q245R S9R + A15T + N62S + H120N + P131T + N218D S9R + A15T + S99G +G100S + H120N + P131S + S9R + A15T + S99C + H120N + P131S + Q137H +Q137H M222S A15T + N185D + M222S + Q245R + N252V A98G + S99C + Q245RS9R + A15T + T22TL + G61E + L96LG + Q137D + A98T + S99G + G100S +S240F + Q245R Q245R S9R + T22TL + G61E + G97GG + M119I + P131T S9R +A15T + H120N + P131T + N218D + N269T Y209H + M222S + Q245G + N252LM222S + Q245M + N252E S9R + A15T + G61E + H120S + Q137D + V139L + S9R +A15T + L96LG + H120N + P131S + Q137H + N218D M222S S9R + A15T + N62D +H120N + P131T S9R + A15T + G61E + A98S + S99M + Q245R S9R + A15T +V68A + N218D + Q245R A98G + G100S + Q245R + N261D S9R + A15T + V68A +H120N + N218D + Q245R S9R + A15T + V68A + A98L + Q245R S9R + A15T +V68A + A174V + Q245R S9R + A15T + V68A + A98G + S99V + Q245R S9R +A15T + G46D + V68A + N218D + Q245R S9R + A15T + V68A + A98M + Q245R +N248D G97D + A98N + S128G + S130T + P131D + T134A S9R + A15T + G61E +V68A + A98S + S99G + Q245R S9R + A15T + V68A + A98M + S99G + Q245R +S9R + A15T + A88V + A98R + S99G + G100C + T274A H120N + P131S + Q137HS9R + A15T + V68A + A98L + S99G + Q245R A98V + S99C + Q245R S9R + A15T +A98G + S99C + H120N + P131S + S9R + A15T + G20* + L21F + G61E + *61aP +Q137H Q245R S9R + A15T + T38S + A98R + S99C + G100S + S9R + A15T +V68A + A98G + S99I + K237R + H120N + P131S + Q137H Q245R S9R + A15T +A98C + G100S + H120N + P131S + S9R + A15T + V68A + H120N + P131S +Q137H + Q137H Q245R S9R + A15T + A98S + G100S + H120N + P131S + S9R +A15T + V68A + H120D + P131S + Q137H + Q137H Q245R S9R + A15T + G20* +L21F + N62D + Q245R A98S + S99G + G100S + Q245R S9R + A15T + G20* +L21F + N62D + Q245R + S9R + A15T + A98S + S99G + G100S + H120N + S259GP131S + Q137H A98S + G100S + Q245R A98T + S99G + G100S + Q245R S9R +A15T + G20* + L21F + *61aA + V68A + S9R + A15T + G20* + L21F + P52T +N62D + Q245R Q245R S9R + A15T + G20* + L21F + N62E + Q245R A98L + S99C +Q245R V68A + S105G + S106A V68A + S106A + T213A S9R + A15T + Y167I +R170L S9R + A15T + V68A V68A + S106A + N252M + Y263C V68A + S106A +Q245W V68A + S106A + Q245R + N252D V68A + S106A + Q245W + N252K V68A +S106A + A174V + Q245R + N252D S9R + A15T + V68A + Q245R + N252S S9R +A15T + V28I + V68A + Q245R + N252A S9R + A15T + V68A + A194T + Q245R +N252E S9R + A15T + G20* + L21F + *63aG + Q245R + S9R + A15T + G20* +L21F + *62aS + N218D + N272V Q245R S9R + A15T + G20* + L21F + *61aS +V68A + S9R + A15T + V68A + H120N + P131S + Q137H + G160D + Q245R Q245M

wherein (a) the variant has protease activity, and (b) each positioncorresponds to a position of the amino acid sequence of subtilisin BPN′,shown in SEQ ID NO:
 1. 4. The protease variant of claim 1, wherein theparent subtilase belongs to the sub-group I-S1.
 5. The protease variantof claim 1, wherein the parent subtilase belongs to the sub-group 1-S2,and wherein the parent subtilase preferably is subtilisin
 309. 6. Theprotease variant of claim 1, wherein said variant further comprises oneor more of the modifications K27R, *36D, S56P, N62D, V68A, N76D, S87N,G97N, S99SE, S101G, S103A, V104A, V104I, V104N, V104Y, S106A, H120D,H120N,N123S, G159D, Y167A, R170S, R170L, A194P, N204D, V205I, Q206E,L217D, N218S, N218D, M222S, M222A, T224S, A232V, K235L, Q236H, Q245R,N248D, N252K, T274A, S101G+V104N, S87N+S101G+V104N,K27R+V104Y+N123S+T274A, N76D+S103A+V104I, S99D+S101R+S103A+V104I+G160S,S3T+V4I+S99D+S101R+S103A+V104I+G160S+V199M+V205I+L217D,S3T+V4I+S99D+S101R+S103A+V104I+G160S+A194P+V199M+V205I+L217D,S3T+V4I+S99D+S101R+S103A+V104I+G160S+V205I and N76D+V104A.
 7. Theprotease variant of claim 1, comprising the following substitutions:S101G+S103A+V104I+G159D+A232V+Q236H+Q245R+N248D+N252K.
 8. A cleaning ordetergent composition, preferably a laundry or dish wash composition,comprising a protease variant of claim 1 and a surfactant.
 9. Acomposition of claim 8, which additionally comprises one or more of anamylase, cellulase, cutinase, esterase, beta-galactosidase,glycoamylase, hemicellulase, lactase, ligninase, lipase,polygalacturonase, and protease.
 10. An isolated DNA sequence encoding aprotease variant of claim 1
 11. An expression vector comprising theisolated DNA sequence of claim
 10. 12. A microbial host cell transformedwith the expression vector of claim
 11. 13. A microbial host cell ofclaim 12, which is a bacterium, preferably a Bacillus, especially a B.lentus.
 14. A microbial host cell of claim 12, which is a fungus oryeast, preferably a filamentous fungus, especially an Aspergillus.
 15. Amethod for producing a protease variant, comprising (a) culturing a hostof claim 12 under conditions conducive to the expression and secretionof the variant, and (b) recovering the protease variant.